Occupational Safety and Hygiene

Code:

Q/AMB4001

Acronym:

Q/AMB4001

Level:

400

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Environment
OFICIAL	Chemistry

Instance: 2025/2026 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Environmental Sciences and Technology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M:CTA	19	Study plan since 2024/2025.	1	-	6	42	162
M:MA3Q	4	Official study plan since 2025/2026	1	-	6	42	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

It is intended to provide students with a broad view of several aspects of occupational safety and hygiene. Development of self-learning methods and problem analysis skills in different areas of safety and hygiene. Develop research skills and complementary information, including discussion on European legislation, and its critical analysis. It is intended that students develop competencies in the evaluation of the exposure of workers to contaminants in the workplace.

Learning outcomes and competences

It is intended that students acquire a broad view of various aspects of occupational safety and hygiene.

To develop research skills and discussion of complementary information, such as research of information on European legislation and the respective critical analysis.

It is intended that students develop micro-projects based on practical work in the area of occupational exposure.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1 - Fundamental concepts of Occupational Safety and Hygiene.
European and Portuguese institutions. European and Portuguese legislation.
2 - Occupational Hygiene: sources of pollutants/contaminants. Routes of exposure. Establishment of occupational exposure limit values. Exposure to mixtures. Environmental measurements of contaminants. Exposure control measures. Radon monitoring. Main physical risks. Biological risk: microorganisms.

Mandatory literature

P. Arezes; Occupational safety and hygiene-SHO 2010. ISBN: 978-972-99504-6-9

Complementary Bibliography

Daniel M. Byrd; Introduction to risk analysis. ISBN: 9780865876965
David Walters; Within REACH?. ISBN: 9780895033475

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical classes: presentation and discussion of the program topics. Students are expected to develop self-learning methodologies and problem analysis skills. Classes are conducted in order to encourage student participation, through research and discussion of complementary information.

Laboratory/practical classes: dedicated to oriented preparation, by the students, of practical work/projects.

 

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	25,00
Trabalho escrito	25,00
Trabalho laboratorial	25,00
Prova oral	25,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	120,00
Frequência das aulas	42,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

It is mandatory to comply with the attendance in classes.

The students must attend a minimum of 75% of the total number of classes.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final mark (NF) will be computed by the following formula:

NF = 0.4 x NE + 0.6 x NL

where:
NE - exam mark
NL - lab assignments mark

Regardless of the value obtained in the calculation of the final grade, to obtain approval it is necessary that exam mark is equal to or greater than 8.5 .

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

All the omitted situations will be solved through a complimentary oral exam.

Classification improvement

Improvement of classification is possible only for the exam component.

Observations

Jury:
Manuel Azenha
Carlos Pereira