ABSTRACT
The most important objective of the occupational health service is the prevention of health risks in the workplace. But several other objectives can also be listed. The term 'prevention' in this context implies that something is changed in the workplace in order to avoid hazards from giving rise to health damage. Possible changes cover a huge spectrum ranging from more traditional technical prevention, such as ear protectors, safety screens and dust extraction, through to more extensive changes to technology and work organisation, such as substitution of hazardous chemicals and machines and the introduction of group organisation and skills development.
