BIOL06016 2019 Biological Health Hazards in the Workplace
Full Title
Biological Health Hazards in the Workplace
Transcript Title
Biological Health Hazards in t
Code
BIOL06016
Attendance
N/A %
Subject Area
BIOL - 0511 Biology
Department
ESCI - Environmental Science
Level
06 - 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 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
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 edn. American 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 Medicine, 4th edn, McGraw-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