| CODE | CLS3117 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Topics in Occupational Health, Safety, Wellbeing and Ergonomics | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Centre for Labour Studies | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This builds on the study-unit CLS1105 and covers in depth topics related to health, safety, and wellbeing as related to occupational settings. The study-unit will also introduce students to the science of ergonomics, with a particular focus on the interaction of humans with the wider work system. Relevant regulations and codes of practice will also be analysed. Study-Unit Aims: This study-unit introduces students to specific topics in occupational health and safety. It builds on CLS1105 (Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety) by providing a process for the student to establish acceptable standards of health, wellbeing, ergonomics and safety for people at work. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Identify and develop metrics which provide a holistic overview of health, wellbeing and safety within a workplace; - Discuss absenteeism, presenteeism and leaveism. Analyse their impact within an organisation and how to tackle them; - Analyse the concepts of health promotion, occupational wellbeing, mental health and occupational stress; - Evaluate relevant predictors, theories and related occupational interventions designed to improve working conditions and support workers; - Define musculoskeletal disorders. Analyse their causes and methods of prevention; - Develop methods to record and investigate occupational accidents. Identify steps that should be in place should an accident occur, and develop measures to prevent their recurrence; - Explain the fundamental principles of ergonomics. Recognise how humans interact with a work system and the factors that can influence compatibility between workers and their work system; - Evaluate how remote working, gender, ageing and disability affect health and safety at work. Develop specific policies and work-related solutions; - Discuss factors that can influence the return to work of individuals who are suffering from health conditions and injuries. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Organise a functional system which actively promotes and supports workers' health in a holistic manner; - Support the safety team as well as guide top management to ensure compliance, improve and maintain workplace safety, health and well-being; - Provide the relevant national authorities with records and investigations of accidents to meet regulatory compliance requirements; - Establish appropriate monitoring for health, safety and wellbeing at work. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Bridger, R.S. (2018). Introduction to ergonomics. CRC Press. - Hughes, P., & Ferrett, E. (2020). Introduction to health and safety at work. Routledge. - Government of Malta (2000). Occupational Health and Safety Authority Act (Chapter 424). Website: https://legislation.mt/eli/cap/424/eng/pdf. Supplementary Readings: - Occupational Health and Safety Authority reference materials. Website: https://deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/en/ohsa/Pages/the-occupational-health-and-safety-authority.aspx. - Fiorini, L.A., & La Ferla, F. (2021). The development of occupational health and safety in Malta. In: M. Debono and G. Baldacchino, eds, Working life and the transformation of Malta 1960-2020. Malta: Malta University Press, pp. 217-236. - Fiorini, L.A., (2019). Wellbeing, quality of life and rewards. In: G. Baldacchino, V. Cassar and J.G. Azzopardi, eds, Malta and its human resources: Management and development perspectives. Malta: Malta University Press, pp. 95-117. - Fiorini, L. A. (2019). Understanding and managing absenteeism: a practical approach. Centre for Labour Studies: Biennial Report: 2017-2018, 29-35. - Fiorini, L. A. (2017). The aging workforce: an ergonomic approach and the situation in Malta. Centre for Labour Studies: Biennial Report: 2015-2016, 35-46. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Independent Study and Group Learning | ||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | George Stephen Darmanin Maria Victoria Gauci Stelmart Khalil Charles Micallef |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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