Physical factors in the work environment
Postgraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 6
- Teaching semesters
- Spring
- Course code
- INTH334B
- Number of semesters
- 1
- Teaching language
- English
- Resources
- Schedule
Course description
Objectives and Content
Objectives:
To provide knowledge on noise, vibration, radiation and extreme temperatures as workplace health hazards.
Contents:
- Sound and noise; Acoustics, decibel, frequency analysis, legislation
- Noise exposure and hearing loss
- Non-audiological effects of noise; cardiovascular effects, cognitive function, annoyance etc.
- Measurements of noise; strategy and instruments
- Calculation, interpretation and presentation of results from field excercise and finally written feedback report
- Noise control measures
- Whole-body and hand-arm vibrations; definitions, evaluation of exposure, regulations
- Monitoring and assessment of vibrations
- Scientific articles on noise and vibration exposures; reading and discussions
- Heat stress at work
- Cold work environment
- Illumination at the workplace
- Ionizing- and non-ionizing radiation
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the course
the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:
Knowledge
The student is able to:
- describe the physical characteristics of noise and vibrations in the working environment
- describe the consequences to health and well-being of excessive exposure to noise
- describe the characteristics of whole-body and hand-arm vibrations and its health effects
- outline the approaches to risk reduction embodied in the hierarchy of control of noise and vibrations
- describe health effects of very hot and very cold work environments
- describe different types of radiation with regards to physical properties, measurements, risk evaluation and control measures
Skills
The student is able to:
- conduct field measurements in the industry to investigate and assess risks from noise and vibrations
- analyze field measurements of noise and vibrations in relation to risk of health effects and to current standards
- write a feedback report on noise and vibration measurements to the industry
- apply appropriate strategies for implementation advise on control measures regarding exposure to noise, vibration and radiation by control at the source, at transmission and at the receiver
- produce a plan for the control of heat stress and cold climate for selected occupations
General competence
The student is able to:
- integrate knowledge from different disciplines
- promote positive interaction and collaborative relationships between the different actors within occupational health
- apply a scientific way of thinking and a critical approach to research results
- communicate and disseminate knowledge about physical factors influencing the working environment orally and in writing to relevant audiences
Level of Study
Semester of Instruction
Spring
Every other year - next spring 2023
Required Previous Knowledge
Access to the Course
Teaching and learning methods
Total student investment time is 160 hours. The course lasts four weeks and comprises lectures (38 hours), field work in the industry with assignment (60 hours), student presentations (6 hours) and critical analysis of relevant scientific articles (6 hours) and individual assignment based on a relevant topic (50 hours).
The field work carried out in the industry and the assignment is essential parts of the course, with work load distributed throughout the course.
The field works include preparatory theoretical and practical work, literature review, workplace visits, industrial process description, data collection/noise measurements, data analysis, reports/assignment and presentation of results and conclusions for discussion in the research group.
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
One full-day field exercise (8 hours) in the industry with additional, associated report/assignment and oral presentation of results from the field work
One individual assignment of about 5 pages addressing a relevant topic in occupational health/hygiene
Forms of Assessment
Written exam (3hrs), student and group presentation and assignments. The written exam counts 70% and the individual assignment 30%.
Students who receive the grade "F" are allowed to re-sit according to standard procedures at the University of Bergen.