Occupational Risk Prevention and Ergonomics Department
The Occupational Risk Prevention and Ergonomics Department specialises in research on, and the provision of professional and practical services in the field of, occupational safety and health (OSH). It addresses the various tasks set out in the research and development concept and provides services to companies in the fields of risk prevention, industrial safety, ergonomics and occupational psychology. Its activities also include the provision of educational, training and consulting services.
The department focuses primarily on comprehensive risk assessment and management – from the analysis and evaluation of working conditions and environments, through ergonomic workplace designs, to assessing the reliability of the human factor and the error rate thereof when performing work-related activities. It provides external audits in the fields of OSH and accident prevention, including environmental aspects, and participates in the Safe Enterprise programme. Furthermore, the department models the reach of harmful concentrations of hazardous chemical substances, draws up company guidelines and operating regulations, and provides for the safety marking of production facilities.
A further important part of the work of the department concerns the conducting of analyses and drawing up of forecasts in the field of OSH. The department conducts operational research, monitors the status and development of occupational accidents, disability and unemployment, analyses their causes and makes predictions of the future development of selected indicators with respect to economic and social changes. It also creates tools for the support of the occupational safety policies of small, medium and large enterprises and provides expert, advisory and consulting services.
Nanosafety makes up a specific part of the work of the department and includes the protection of health from exposure to nanomaterials and nanoparticles in the work environment, the measurement of the concentrations thereof, the proposal of measures aimed at limiting exposure and expert cooperation with specialist facilities both in the Czech Republic and abroad. In addition, the department monitors the behaviour of nanomaterials in personal protective equipment, analyses the release of nano- and microplastics into the environment and evaluates their toxicity.
As a result of the combination of research, professional expertise and practical support for companies, the Occupational Risk Prevention and Ergonomics Department is a key partner in terms of ensuring safe and healthy working conditions.