BIOL06016 2019 Biological Health Hazards in the Workplace

General Details

Full Title
Biological Health Hazards in the Workplace
Transcript Title
Biological Health Hazards in t
Code
BIOL06016
Attendance
N/A %
Subject Area
BIOL - Biology
Department
ESCI - Environmental Science
Level
06 - NFQ Level 6
Credit
05 - 05 Credits
Duration
Semester
Fee
Start Term
2019 - Full Academic Year 2019-20
End Term
9999 - The End of Time
Author(s)
Aideen Considine
Programme Membership
SG_SOCCU_B07 201900 Bachelor of Science in Science in Occupational Safety and Health SG_SOCCU_H08 201900 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Science in Occupational Safety and Health SG_SOCCU_B07 201900 Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health
Description

This module will introduce Occupational Safety and Health students to the various Biohazards present in the workplace. It will evaluate the potential of these microorganisms to cause occupationally acquired diseases and will examine methods for the prevention, control and disposal of these pathogens. It will also appraise the Legislation that deals with Biological Agents in the workplace.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;

1.

Define and detail the various biohazards that are potentially present in the workplace

2.

Explain the modes of entry of workplace pathogens and demonstrate a knowledge of the body's defence mechanisms to prevent infection  

3.

Outline the major occupationally acquired diseases

4.

Interpret the duty of the employer with respect to safe handling and disposal of biohazards

5.

Carry out a series of biohazard related practicals

Teaching and Learning Strategies

This module will be delivered full-time and will include lecturers and practicals augmented by independent and direct learning.Moodle will be used as a repository of educational resources and as a means of assessment- uploading assignments and reports. 

Module Assessment Strategies

This module is 50% continuous assessment and 50% final exam.

To assess the learning outcomes the students will be tested on the theory covered by short question tests and final theory examination.

The laboratory activities will be assessed on an ongoing basis by short question examinations, electronically uploaded laboratory reports, laboratory notebook assessment and the periodic testing of the practical laboratory skills acquired. 

The student must reach an assigned gate (mark) in the final exam and achieve 40% overall to pass the subject.

Repeat Assessments

Repeat final theory and repeat continuous assessment will be available

Module Dependencies

Prerequisites
None
Co-requisites
None
Incompatibles
None

Indicative Syllabus

Define and detail the various biohazards that are potentially present in the workplace

  • Structure, function and pathogenicity of occupationally acquired bacteria, fungi and viruses.
  • Occupations at risk from biohazards

Explain the modes of entry of workplace pathogens and demonstrate a knowledge of the body's defence mechanisms to prevent infection  

  • Inhalation
  • Contact exposure
  • Ingestion
  • First, second and third lines of defence

Outline the major occupationally acquired diseases

  • Blood borne pathogens
  • Sick building syndrome
  • Farmer’s lung

Interpret the duty of the employer with respect to safe handling and disposal of biohazards

  • Methods of prevention, control and disposal of biohazards
  • Biosafety
  • Legislation governing biological agents in the workplace
  • Pest control

Carry out a series of biohazard related practicals

  • Microscopic examination of microorganisms
  • Environmental monitoring for biohazards
  • Enumeration of organisms

Coursework & Assessment Breakdown

Coursework & Continuous Assessment
50 %
End of Semester / Year Formal Exam
50 %

Coursework Assessment

Title Type Form Percent Week Learning Outcomes Assessed
1 Performance Evaluation Coursework Assessment Closed Book Exam 10 % Week 7 1,2
2 Practical Write Ups. Practical Assessments. Coursework Assessment Practical Evaluation 30 % OnGoing 5
3 Performance Evaluation Coursework Assessment Closed Book Exam 10 % Week 12 3,4

End of Semester / Year Assessment

Title Type Form Percent Week Learning Outcomes Assessed
1 Final Exam Written Examination Final Exam Closed Book Exam 50 % End of Term 1,2,3,4
             
             

Full Time Mode Workload


Type Location Description Hours Frequency Avg Workload
Lecture Tiered Classroom Lecture 2 Weekly 2.00
Practical / Laboratory Science Laboratory Laboratory Practical 1.5 Weekly 1.50
Independent Learning UNKNOWN Self Study 3.5 Weekly 3.50
Total Full Time Average Weekly Learner Contact Time 3.50 Hours

Module Resources

Non ISBN Literary Resources

Boss M, Day D. (2002)  Biological Risk Engineering Handbook. CRC Press. Florida, USA.

Donham K, Thelin A. (2006) Occupational and Environmental Health in Agriculture. Wiley-Blackwell. New Jersey,USA.

Dubey R, Maheshwar D. (2010) Practical Microbiology. 1ST edn. S. Chand & Co Ltd. Delhi, India

Fleming D, Hunt D. (2006) Biological Safety. 4th ednAmerican Society for Microbiology. USA.

Grady S,  Tabak J. (2003) Biohazards. Facts on File Inc. New York, USA.

Hansen D. (1992)  The Work Environment: Healthcare, Laboratories and Biosafety, Volume II: Healthcare, Laboratories and Biosafety v. 2.  CRC Press. Florida, USA.

Hofkin B. (2010) Living in a microbial world. Garland Science. New York, USA.

Koren H, Bisesi M.(2002) Handbook of Environmental Health, Fourth Edition, Volume I: Biological, Chemical, and Physical Agents of Environmentally Related Disease: Biological. 4th edn, CRC Press. Florida, USA

Ladou J. (2006) Occupational & Environmental Medicine4th ednMcGraw-Hill. New York, USA.

Madigan M, Martinko J, Stahl D, Clark D. (2011)  Brock Biology of Microorganisms. 13th edn. Benjamin Cummings. San Francisco, USA.

Maier R, Pepper I, Gerba C. (2008) Environmental Microbiology. 2nd edn.  Academic Press. Massachusetts, USA.

PrescottL, Harley J, Klein D. (2004)  Microbiology. 6th edn. McGraw-Hill Higher. New York, USA.

Price A. (1982) Biological Hazards the hidden threat. Van Nostrand Reinhold. New York, USA.

Wald P, Stave G.(2002) Physical and Biological Hazards of the Workplace, 2nd edn, Wiley-Blackwell. New Jersey, USA.

 

Journal Resources

International journal of microbiology

Annual review of microbiology

Nature microbiology

Microbiome

Journal of hazardous materials

Journal of epidemiology

Journal of medical microbiology

 

URL Resources

https://microbiologyonline.org/

https://www.asm.org/

https://www.asm.org/podcasts

www.cdc.gov

http://www.learner.org/resources/series121.html

www.epa.ie

https://www.nature.com/subjects/environmental-microbiology

www.microbe.net/resources/microbiology-web-resources/

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/14622920

https://microbiology.usgs.gov/

https://microbiologysociety.org/publication/past-issues/soil.html

https://blink.ucsd.edu/safety/research-lab/hazardous-waste/medical/index.htm

https://biosafety.mcmaster.ca/biosafety_waste_disposal.htm

https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/article/49/6/465/229529

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2093791114000249

https://www.hsa.ie/eng/Publications_and_Forms/Publications/Chemical_and_Hazardous_Substances/Guidelines-for-Biological-Agents-2014.pdf

 

Other Resources

Lecture notes

Lecture Handouts

Biohazard Moodle Page

Additional Information

None