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Better Workplaces in Low and Middle Income Countries

Gain crucial insights into creating healthier workplaces with this occupational health course from the University of Bergen.

Educators are currently active on this course

Three young workers engaged in a plastic recycling process in a factory. They work with machines which melt used plastic. The floor is covered with plastic pieces and fluids.

Better Workplaces in Low and Middle Income Countries

  • 6 weeks

  • 5 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Advanced level

Find out more about how to join this course

  • Duration

    6 weeks
  • Weekly study

    5 hours
  • 100% online

    How it works
  • Unlimited subscription

    $244.99 for a whole yearLearn more

Advance your occupational health knowledge and increase safety in the workplace

Gain the ability to improve workplace health and safety health and safety with the University of Bergen’s cutting-edge online course. Dive into an enriching experience where you’ll learn to master risk assessments, devise innovative prevention strategies, and navigate the complexities of modern work environments.

Become a pivotal force in promoting health and well-being across global workspaces in just six weeks.

Recognise and evaluate workplace health risks

On this course, you’ll learn to identify and evaluate health risks across various work environments worldwide. You’ll deepen your understanding of the wide range of potential hazards faced by workers today, including physical, chemical, and psychosocial risks.

By recognising these dangers, you’ll play a vital role in preventing occupational diseases and injuries, ultimately improving the well-being of employees in diverse sectors.

Learn risk assessment techniques in the workplace

Next, you’ll develop your expertise in risk assessment methods to effectively evaluate and manage workplace hazards. You’ll learn the key steps in conducting risk assessments, enabling you to identify potential health risks, assess their impact, and implement control measures to reduce exposure.

Adapt to evolving workplace environments

As the nature of work shifts due to digitalisation, climate change, and other global factors, staying ahead of these trends is essential.

This course will teach you how to address new workplace challenges, increased automation, and the growing number of women in the workforce, while also managing traditional risks like noise, dust, stress, and hazardous chemicals.

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Syllabus

  • Week 1

    WORKPLACES AND HEALTH

    • Two men work at a building site, inside a scaffold. We see they are at risk of falling objects, but they wear hard hats for protection.

      The construction industry has complex workplaces

      We will show you complex workplaces, from the construction industry and explain that there are many aspects of health and safety in the working life. We will tell you about the risk of workplace injuries and how to prevent them.

    • There are several risk factors for health in this working place. (Photo: T. Abegaz)

      The importance of occupational health

      See an introduction to occupational health; definitions and the magnitude of occupational injuries and diseases. We will tell you why it is important to know about these challenges to health and that they can be prevented.

    • Use a risk assessment to protect yourself from risk factors

      Workplace risk assessment

      Here you will learn what a risk assessment at a workplace is, how it is performed. We illustrate the risk assessment by showing you a tiger. What can we do to reduce the harm from a tiger? A model for risk assessment is shown.

    • Occupational Health 11_https://www.flickr.com/photos/pahowho/17177014021/in/album-72157649681778774/

      Prevention of occupational injuries and diseases

      This lecture deals with general principles of preventive measures, and you learn about the legislation needed and the control measures we can use. We tell who are working on occupational health issues in our society.

  • Week 2

    WORKPLACES ARE CHANGING

    • The photo shows an office with a desk, two large screens on the wall and a pile of old telephones on the floor. This illustrates the change in equipment we experience at workplaces today.

      Digitalisation at the workplace

      Workplaces have changed a lot the past years due to new technology. We need to learn how to use the new tools, and we need to know how to reduce stress related to this kind of challenges at work. You will learn what 'stress' is.

    • Climate changes lead to flooding, destroying the crops in the fields.

      Climate change influences workplaces

      Here, climate changes are shortly described. These influence workplaces; for instance outdoor work places are warmer. More health personnel needs to work with disasters. More firefighters are needed due to forest fires.

    • A miner in a very dark environment, having a torch on his head.World Bank Photo Collection Anglo Ashanti gold Obuasi, Ghana

      New workplace situations

      There are changes involving the workplaces in the world. Most people experience digital challenges, many work in hot work environments, new sources of food develop, recycling is important, and we have experienced a pandemic.

    • A laboratory technicial working with chemicals in a protected place with ventilation.

      The pregnant worker

      Many workplaces have conditions that may be unsafe for a pregnant worker and her unborn child. You will learn about risk factors, legislation and how the pregnant women and her child can be protected.

    • Occupational health services can help

      In this session, we will describe the tasks and professions within occupational health services (OHS). Additionally, we will challenge you to design the perfect OHS system for your country.

    • A photo from a workshop making prostheses for lacking limbs, we see some prostheses in plastic and metal and a technician.

      Rehabilitation of injured workers

      If someone is injured at work, we should aim at helping them to return to work, by a rehabilitation process. This should also be the case if someone is handicapped from birth, or develop injuries or diseases later in life.

  • Week 3

    CHEMICAL WORKPLACES

    • Women working in a rose farm greenhouse with cutting of roses, here two women organize roses after cutting.

      Agriculture and pesticides

      This week we will describe different chemicals present at different workplaces, and one of the workplaces is in agriculture where many pesticides are in use. Large amounts of pesticides are used in flowerfarms, greenhouses.

    • Two workers in a foundry, melting metal. We see the hot melted substance in a container, and the workers pour it out in smaller forms.

      Chronic intoxications

      Some chronic intoxications that may occur at workplaces are described. We mention gold mining, organic solvent intoxications as well as intoxications from other toxic metals. We describe examples of how to prevent these problems.

    • Mercury bubbles. @Colourbox

      Chemical industries

      Workplaces in the chemical industry are described. Examples are work with welding, industrial painting and melting off different metals. Preventive measures are shown as well, how we can prevent the workers from this exposure.

    • A man uses glue to attach the carpet to the floor, spreading the glue out on the floor in a huge area. @B.E. Moen, UiB

      Chemical factors

      Definitions and descriptions of different aerosols and fibers are given, as well as of gases and vapours. Occupational exposure limits are described, we tell about biomonitoring and we give you an overview of control measures.

  • Week 4

    DUSTY AND NOISY WORKPLACES

    • The photo is from a scrap metal factory, where we see an area of melting scrap. Many workers are standing close to the heat. There are fumes from the melting, but the walls are open and will give ventilation.

      Dust, fibers and fumes

      Her you learn about dusty workplaces, like mining. Airway diseases impact millions globally, and you learn about different types of these diseases. In addition, preventive measures are described.

    • Workers handling bags with carcinogenic chemicals, probably lead chromate.

      Work-related cancer

      Work-related cancer is caused by exposure to specific substances in the workplace. The incidence is described, and there is a special focus on asbestos challenges, and how to reduce the work-related cancer.

    • Man cutting steel, this may cause high noise levels.

      Noise

      Noise exposure can lead to hearing loss and other health issues. It's crucial to avoid high levels and continuous exposure. We will demonstrate how to measure noise and discuss strategies to prevent its negative effects.

    • Worker using a hand drill, drilling in rocks.

      Vibration

      Workers using vibrating power tools or machinery risk health issues from prolonged vibration exposure. Nerves and muscles may be seriously harmed, and we have no cure for these health problems. Prevention is the key.

  • Week 5

    HOSPITAL WORKPLACES

    • Nurse adjusting bed with a technical system on the bed.

      Health care workers

      The healthcare workforce is the backbone of a well-functioning healthcare system. These professionals help people with health issues, while at the same facing significant risks to their own health.

    • Mouse in cage, living in a laboratory.

      Biological exposure

      Workers in various occupations face biological hazards at work. These hazards can be classified into contagious and non-contagious, and you will learn about these. Also, we describe vaccination and other preventive issues.

    • Two nurses moving a patient in the bed, at a hospital.

      Work-related musculoskeletal diseases

      Different musculoskeletal diseases are described, and how they can develop at a workplace. The challenges of the prevention of musculoskeletal diseases are described, as they are multifactoral and complex in origin.

    • A physician is putting on gloves, standing in a patient room at a hospital.

      Work-related skin diseases

      Many workers have their hands exposed to chemicals and water, which can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and eczema. Prolonged or repeated exposure may lead to chronic skin conditions. We focus on work at hospitals.

    • A figure showing that night shift workers have more problems with insomnia than other workers.

      Shift work

      Shift work is described, as well as different workplaces where this type of work is common today. Different health problems that may arise due to shift work is described and how we can handle to work shifts is discussed.

    • Radiologist at work at a x-ray department in a hospital, wearing a lead west.

      Radiation

      There are different types of radiation, both ionizing and non- ionizing radiation. The workplaces where these types of exposures occur are described, and information about legislation and other control measures are given.

  • Week 6

    OFFICE WORKPLACES

    • Friends are important, here we see to good male colleagues.

      Office environment - psychosocial issues

      Here you will learn more about psychosocial aspects of the work environment, which factors are of importance to make workers content with their work situation. Also, new organizations of office work is discussed.

    • A lamp lights up an office workplace; a desk, a chair and a computer.

      Workplace indoors

      Many people work indoors. Also here we need regulations of for instance the light, the temperature and how to sit and work together. Sitting in landscapes at the office is discussed.

    • We see the back of a group of men in a factory. They stand with their hands in thir pocked, clearly not working. This is how a strike situation at a workplace may look like.

      Work conflicts - can affect anyone

      Minor conflicts often take place at workplaces; this is normal. We need to solve the conflicts quickly. Conflicts that are not solved might become a major problem, and this situations must be avoided and prevented.

    • A male manager stands close to a female administrative worker at her office desk. He bends forward and has put his arms around her. We see them from behind.

      Specific psychosocial challenges

      Special psychosocial challenges are described and defined. We will tell you about 'burnout', about posttraumatic stress and harassment and how to prevent these problems.

    • A map of the world.

      Summing up occupational health

      Here we give some final input about the importance of work with occupational health, we thank the students and helpers of the course, and a final test can be taken.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

If you'd like to take part while our educators are leading the course, they'll be joining the discussions, in the comments, between these dates:

  • 6 Jan 2025 - 16 Feb 2025

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • describe basic concepts in occupational health
  • identify the most important risk factors for illness and injuries at workplaces globally
  • perform a risk assessment at the workplace
  • reflect on occupational health in a global perspective, with focus on climate changes and low-income settings

Who is the course for?

This occupational health course is designed for company leaders and health and safety personnel looking to enhance their expertise in recognising workplace risks and preventing related illnesses and injuries, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Who will you learn with?

Bente Elisabeth Moen

Professor in Occupational Medicine and International Health. Main interest: Occupational Health in developing countries; mostly chemical hazards, dust and respiratory health as well as shift work

Gro Tjalvin

Associate professor at University of Bergen, and physician/specialist in occupational medicine at the University Hospital. Interests: Health effects due to adverse work conditions, and prevention.

Magne  Bråtveit

Professor, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Bergen. My main work is on exposure assessment of chemical and physical hazards, including several industries in developing countries.

Ole Jacob Møllerløkken

Associate professor and group leader at the Research Group for Occupational and Environmental Medicine at the University of Bergen. Physician in occupational medicine at the University hospital.

Who developed the course?

University of Bergen logo

University of Bergen

The University of Bergen (UiB) offers first-class education and cutting-edge research at our location in the city centre of Bergen, Norway.

In collaboration with

Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
Addis Ababa University

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$109/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 27 Mar 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

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