Open AccessRESPIRATORY PROTECTION PROJECT IN SOMNOMED PHILIPPINES, INC.
Author(s) -
Rubayat Indradi
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
saintika medika
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2614-476X
pISSN - 0216-759X
DOI - 10.22219/sm.v13i1.5412
Subject(s) - medicine , occupational safety and health , enforcement , environmental health , quality (philosophy) , business , medical education , operations management , nursing , engineering , political science , philosophy , epistemology , pathology , law
Background: SomnoMed Philippines is classified as a manufacturing type of company that creates effective and comfortable dental devices like SomnoDent, SomnoBrux and SomnoSnore to treat snoring, bruxism and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), respectively. Dusts from this products can affect workers as manifested by respiratory symptoms such as cough and colds. The goal was to contribute to the improved general health of workers of through effective enforcement of strategies to ensure good environmental air quality. The purpose was to reduce the exposure of workers to respirable dust to standard (ACGIH 3mg/m3) in SomnoMedMethods: To assess the workplace, a walkthrough survey, review of related documents and key informant interviews were made. Hazards were identified and analyzed using a set of criteria such as magnitude of the problem, feasibility and impact of the program.Results: The outputs made during the three weeks of implementation include the following: (1) developed Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) policy, (2) established OHS committee, (3) assessed air quality and (4) improved knowledge of workers. Conclusions: Accomplishments include creation of OHS policy, creation of OHS committee, respirable dust analysis in the workplace, distribution of information, education, and communication materials, and provision of lectures. Keywords: workplace, Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), dust, air quality