A characteristic feature of the modern period of social development is the shift in dominant types of human activity. At the same time, safety is a fundamental human need, as emphasized in the UN Concept "On Sustainable Human Development." The goal of the Concept is to create conditions for a balanced and safe existence for every individual today and for future generations.
The topic of HSE is becoming increasingly relevant every year. According to international HSE statistics, the number of workplace accidents worldwide has increased in recent years. Each year, approximately 2 million men and women die as a result of workplace accidents and occupational diseases. Annually, 270 million occupational accidents and 160 million occupational diseases are recorded. In the CIS countries in 1998, 47,000 people were injured at work (1,551 of them fatally), and 3,400 people contracted occupational diseases.
Statistical data indicate that:
The concept of HSE, its goals and objectives, the content of the "HSE" course, and its connection with other disciplines.
A block of modern disciplines concerning human safety: life safety, HSE, fundamentals of ecology, civil defense, fundamentals of medical knowledge, and children's health. The objects and subjects of the "HSE" and "Civil Defense" disciplines are defined by relevant legislative acts.
HSE – is a system of legal, socio-economic, organizational-technical, sanitary-hygienic, and therapeutic-prophylactic measures and means aimed at preserving human life, health, and working capacity during the labor process. HSE identifies and studies industrial and occupational hazards and develops methods for their prevention or mitigation to eliminate industrial accidents and occupational diseases among workers, as well as accidents and fires. Its main objects of study are the person in the labor process, the production sphere and environment, the interaction between the person and industrial equipment or technological processes, and the organization of labor and production.
With such a large number of objects under study, it is necessary to utilize the scientific achievements of many branches of knowledge:
The goal of the scientific organization of labor is the development and practical implementation of a rational labor process structure that ensures high labor productivity, creates conditions for preserving workers' health, and extends their period of professional activity.
Ergonomics researches, develops, and provides recommendations regarding the design, manufacture, and operation of technical means that provide the necessary convenience during the labor process, preserving the worker's strength, performance, and health.
Engineering psychology studies the interaction between humans and new technology and establishes human functional capabilities in labor processes to create working conditions that maintain high psycho-physiological human potential.
Technical aesthetics establishes the dependence of labor conditions and results on the architectural, structural, and artistic solutions of labor tools, workstations, areas, workshops, sanitary-utility, and other auxiliary premises — everything that surrounds a person in the workplace.