Campus and Community

Técnico community sensitised on Health and Safety at Work

Técnico’s representatives on health and safety matters at work organised a set of lectures on this topic.

In order to celebrate the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, Técnico’s representatives on health and safety matters at work organised a commemorative session.

Professor João Gomes Ferreira, vice-president of Técnico for Facilities and Equipment, pointed out the importance of “each one’s involvement in these issues”. He also highlighted the importance of the work carried out “with few human ressources” and that “there is still much to do”. “We are investing in people’s well being and preventing risks”, he concluded.

Lídia Silvia, Técnico’s representative on health and safety matters at work, explained the methodology used by the working group and the actions carried out to define the needs. “Técnico is an example when compared to other schools”, she said. The choice of appropriate work equipment to each employee and the strategies to reduce monotony at work were some of the goals shared by Lídia Silva. “Assessing risks is crucial”, she noted.

On this occasion the results of the survey carried out by Técnico’s representatives on health and safety matters at work were also released. The main causes of complaint were the noise in the work place, the temperature in rooms (heat and cold) and the working position at the workstation ((determined by the design of the seating). With regard to psychosocial risks, the main causes of complaint were the lack of participation in decision-making, deadline pressure, ineffective communication and lack of support from leadership and co-workers.

Professor Rui Bettencourt Melo, from Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, delivered a lecture on “Ergonomics in occupational context”, and Doctor Cassiana Tavares, from Universidade do Porto, spoke about pychosocial risk factors in the workplace. At the end of the session an open discussion took place, which showed the importance and the great interest of this topic.