MPH5244 - Ergonomic and physical hazards - 2019

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Margaret Stuckey

Coordinator(s)

Dr Margaret Stuckey

Unit guides

Offered

Alfred Hospital

  • Second semester 2019 (Off-campus)
  • Second semester 2019 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

MPH5241.

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in a Postgraduate degree

Synopsis

Introduction to principles & practice of ergonomics. Occupational hygiene as applied to physical hazards: noise, radiation, thermal environments & pressure effects.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. identify and analyse the properties and effects of common occupational physical hazards;
  2. identify common occupational physical hazards and related risks and tools for risk quantification;
  3. identify when further expertise is required and refer appropriately to expert assistance;
  4. apply the principles of the 'hierarchy of controls' to the control of physical hazards, including communicating effectively to workers about the risks;
  5. conduct a simple ergonomic assessment using a systems approach to consider risks to workers from equipment, tools, environment and work design factors; and
  6. interpret the assessment results and develop and effectively communicate appropriate recommendations for risk controls.

Assessment

  • Web-based tasks (10%)
  • Written assignments (45%) (Hurdle)
  • Examination (30%)
  • Multiple choice tests (15%)

Hurdle: Full attendance at unit block days.

Workload requirements

6 hours off campus, self-directed learning per week, 4 hours teacher directed learning per week, plus 20 contact hours over 3 block days.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at: