Occupational Health and Safety
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide the basic knowledge relating to the Consolidated Law 81/08 and the evolution of related legislation. It also proposes to provide knowledge concerning health and safety in the workplace and to analyze the operational tools in support of the prevention service for workers' health and safety.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will have acquired the ability to organize a system for prevention by identifying the roles required by law and defining the concepts of risk, damage, protection, and prevention. He will be competent in the selection of Personal and Collective Protection Devices and safe machines for the agricultural sector.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Giudizio di approvazione
Assessment result: superato/non superato
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course programme is designed to provide comprehensive training in occupational health and safety within agricultural and agro-industrial contexts, with particular attention to the challenges introduced by the digitalization of production processes. The course is structured into a general section covering the regulatory and organizational foundations of health and safety, an applied section focused on the specific risks of agricultural and agro-industrial systems.
The course contents are the same for all students, whether attending or non-attending, ensuring the acquisition of the knowledge and competencies required to operate safely in professional agricultural and agro-industrial environments.
General Section (1.5 ECTS)
This section introduces the regulatory framework governing occupational health and safety, analysing its evolution from Law 626/1994 to the Consolidated Health and Safety Act (Legislative Decree 81/2008) and subsequent legislative updates, with particular attention to the influence of European legislation. Key concepts such as hazard, risk, probability, damage, prevention, and protection are examined, together with the organization of workplace prevention systems and the responsibilities of the different actors involved.
The course also addresses the role of European directives, regulations, and harmonized technical standards, with particular reference to the Machinery Directive, CE marking of equipment, and legislation concerning technical installations. Additional topics include fire prevention, workplace first aid, personal protective equipment (PPE), and occupational health and safety management systems.
Particular attention is devoted to voluntary standards and management systems, including ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety management and ISO 27001 for information security management, highlighting their role in the continuous improvement of organizations and in the design of safe and resilient production systems.
Applied Section (1.5 ECTS)
This section applies the general principles to agricultural and agro-industrial environments, analysing the main risks associated with field operations, protected cultivation systems, livestock farming, technical installations, and processing activities.
Attention is dedicated to the introduction of digital technologies in agriculture, including sensors, automated systems, robotics, and data management platforms, evaluating their implications in terms of worker safety, information security, and cybersecurity.
Through case studies, practical examples, and the analysis of occupational accidents, near misses, and occupational diseases, students develop competencies in hazard identification, risk assessment, and the design of preventive and protective measures aimed at the safe management of agricultural and agro-industrial processes.
The course contents are the same for all students, whether attending or non-attending, ensuring the acquisition of the knowledge and competencies required to operate safely in professional agricultural and agro-industrial environments.
General Section (1.5 ECTS)
This section introduces the regulatory framework governing occupational health and safety, analysing its evolution from Law 626/1994 to the Consolidated Health and Safety Act (Legislative Decree 81/2008) and subsequent legislative updates, with particular attention to the influence of European legislation. Key concepts such as hazard, risk, probability, damage, prevention, and protection are examined, together with the organization of workplace prevention systems and the responsibilities of the different actors involved.
The course also addresses the role of European directives, regulations, and harmonized technical standards, with particular reference to the Machinery Directive, CE marking of equipment, and legislation concerning technical installations. Additional topics include fire prevention, workplace first aid, personal protective equipment (PPE), and occupational health and safety management systems.
Particular attention is devoted to voluntary standards and management systems, including ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety management and ISO 27001 for information security management, highlighting their role in the continuous improvement of organizations and in the design of safe and resilient production systems.
Applied Section (1.5 ECTS)
This section applies the general principles to agricultural and agro-industrial environments, analysing the main risks associated with field operations, protected cultivation systems, livestock farming, technical installations, and processing activities.
Attention is dedicated to the introduction of digital technologies in agriculture, including sensors, automated systems, robotics, and data management platforms, evaluating their implications in terms of worker safety, information security, and cybersecurity.
Through case studies, practical examples, and the analysis of occupational accidents, near misses, and occupational diseases, students develop competencies in hazard identification, risk assessment, and the design of preventive and protective measures aimed at the safe management of agricultural and agro-industrial processes.
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of the production process typical of the agricultural sector. The students have to be able to contextualise the examples given during the lectures to understand the specificities of the sector and the links with the health and safety of the operators.
Teaching methods
24 hours of face-to-face teaching. Attendance is not compulsory.
The course combines lectures, interactive learning activities, case studies, and practical exercises. The teaching approach is designed to guide students from the acquisition of fundamental knowledge to the development of professional competencies through the analysis of real-world situations, the discussion of operational challenges, and the application of occupational health and safety principles within agricultural and agri-food contexts. Emphasis is placed on active learning and experiential approaches, enabling students to transform theoretical knowledge into practical skills and professional awareness.
The course combines lectures, interactive learning activities, case studies, and practical exercises. The teaching approach is designed to guide students from the acquisition of fundamental knowledge to the development of professional competencies through the analysis of real-world situations, the discussion of operational challenges, and the application of occupational health and safety principles within agricultural and agri-food contexts. Emphasis is placed on active learning and experiential approaches, enabling students to transform theoretical knowledge into practical skills and professional awareness.
Teaching Resources
Notes from the lectures;
Material (Slides) provided on the MYARIEL website of the course;
Book: R. Guidetti, A. Vitale, F. Daddi - Manuale della sicurezza sul luogo di lavoro in una azienda alimentare e di ristorazione - Terza Edizione, Franco Angeli (Milano), 2024.
Material (Slides) provided on the MYARIEL website of the course;
Book: R. Guidetti, A. Vitale, F. Daddi - Manuale della sicurezza sul luogo di lavoro in una azienda alimentare e di ristorazione - Terza Edizione, Franco Angeli (Milano), 2024.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The actual achievement of the learning outcomes expected of the students will be assessed using an oral examination (three open questions).
The following will be evaluated: the critical sense and the knowledge developed by the student concerning both the legislative and technical aspects underlying the organization and management of health and safety systems, mainly in the agriculture and agri-industrial sectors.
To take the exam, it is necessary to register on the UNIMIA platform (http://www.unimi.it/) before the deadline.
The evaluation is expressed by a mark out of thirty.
The grade is communicated to each student by e-mail, automatically generated by the University's verbalization system.
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
The following will be evaluated: the critical sense and the knowledge developed by the student concerning both the legislative and technical aspects underlying the organization and management of health and safety systems, mainly in the agriculture and agri-industrial sectors.
To take the exam, it is necessary to register on the UNIMIA platform (http://www.unimi.it/) before the deadline.
The evaluation is expressed by a mark out of thirty.
The grade is communicated to each student by e-mail, automatically generated by the University's verbalization system.
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
- University credits: 3
Lessons: 24 hours
Professor:
Giovenzana Valentina
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Giovenzana ValentinaProfessor(s)
Reception:
by appointment
Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - building 21100