CHEMICAL RISK FACTORS AT THE FORENSIC LABORATORIES: APPROACH WITH REGARD TO WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY

Abstract

Work accidents and occupational diseases caused by intense mechanization and hundreds of chemicals used in production upon industrialization have become important problems of our age. World Health Organization (WHO) defines health not only as lack of illness and disability, but also a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing. In this regard, the concept of “work health” has to be understood from a wide framework. The concept of work health and safety is a dynamic concept. It constantly changes depending on the working conditions as well as all situations and risks covering the individuals’ health and safety. Work health and safety has become a field of study for medicine, technique and the other scientific branches. Because technological development is continuous, new work branches, chemicals, machines and equipment that get involved in the fields of work day by day require studying this issue constantly, searching for the new problems encountered with the new technology and trying to solve these problems. To the extent that the international rules are completely applied, human health and environment can be protected against the harmful effects of the chemicals. This approach that is called risk management of harmful chemicals is the only option in the smart use of the chemicals. In this study, it was aimed to make an evaluation on the risks and proactive approach.