COURSE OVERVIEW

The course is a core module for the International Certificate in Occupational Hygiene (ICertOHTA). It is designed to be delivered as a 5-day taught programme including participant’s assessment.
The aim of the course is :-
• Introduce you to toxicology, physiology and epidemiology
• Identify chemical substances hazardous to health at work and their harmful effects on target organs
On completing this course successfully, the participants will be able to :-
• Define commonly used toxicological terms
• Know the main routes by which hazardous substances can enter the body, and the factors which influence their absorption, distribution, storage and elimination
• Know where to find information on hazardous substances and processes
• Understand the principal target organs affected by hazardous substances at work, and the factors influencing harm
• Know the main routes of exposure and toxic and health effects for hazardous substances commonly encountered in the workplace
• Interpret results from epidemiological studies
This course is designed to provide participants with a detailed and up-to-date overview of OHTA507: Health Effects of Hazardous Substances. It covers the basic toxicological terms and concepts and the physical forms of hazardous substances; the types of health effects and basic human biology and target organs covering respiratory system, skin, nervous system, circulatory system, liver, kidney and reproductive system; basic toxicokinetics comprising of absorption, distribution and storage, metabolism and excretion; the dose-response curves and toxicity testing including allergy assessment methods in humans; and the epidemiology terms, types of epidemiological studies and health effects.
During this interactive course, participants will learn the gases, organic solvents and vapours and other selected organic liquids; the metals and metal compounds, dusts and particulate materials, mineral fibres and common industrial processes; the materials handling, machining, welding and thermal cutting, surface coating, treatment of metals, soldering, brazing, degreasing and painting; the smelting and refining of iron and steel, foundries, mining and quarrying; and the biological hazards covering legionella and humidifier fever, blood borne diseases, zoonoses, moulds, pandemics and genetic modification.