OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

HAZARDS

Occupational health refers to the potential risks to health and safety for those who work outside the home

Hazard  something that can cause harm if not controlled.

Occupational disease Disease directly caused by a person’s occupation.

Ecological approach it seeks to ensure a dynamic equilibrium between the industrial worker and his occupational environment.

Workplace  setting in which many people spend the largest proportion of their time.

exposes many workers to health hazards

Definition: 4Ps.• Aims at the PROMOTION AND

MAINTENANCE of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well being of workers in all occupation;• the PREVENTION of ill-health among

workers caused by their working conditions; • the PROTECTION of workers in their

employment from risk resulting from factors that adversely affect health;• the PLACING AND MAINTENANCE of the

worker in an occupational environment adapted to his physiological and psychological ability.

Ergonomics - “Fitting the job to the worker”.

Integral part of occupational health services.

Greek word ‘Ergon’ means ‘Work’, ‘Nomos’ means ‘Law’ .

It is the ADAPTATION, MODIFICATION, MANIPULATION of MACHINERY, WORK ENVIRONMENT, WORK & REST SCHEDULE and JOB DEMANDS to suit the CAPACITY, LIMITATIONS & EXPECTATIONS of the workers.

Occupational Environment• Sum of external conditions and

influences prevailing at the place of work which have a bearing on the health of the working population.

Three types of interactions in the work place:

Man and physical, chemical, & biological agents.

Man and machine.Man and man.-

1. Physical hazards2. Chemical 3. Biological4. Psychosociala. Psychological and behavioral changes.b. Psychosomatic ill-health

OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS

OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS

1. Physical hazardsHeat – Direct & indirect effect of high temperature,

radiant heat, heat stagnation.Cold – General & local cold injuryLight – Acute & chronic effect of bright & dim light &

glare.Radiation

a. Ionizing - X-rays,gamma rays,beta particles, alpha particles

b. Non-ionizing - microwaves, infrared, and ultra-violet light

Noise – Auditory & non auditory effect.Vibration – hazardous in the frequency range of 10-

500Hz

Diseases due to Physical agents

Heat – Heat stroke, Heat hyperpyrexia, Heat syncope, Heat Exhaustion, Heat rash.

Light – Occupational cataract, Miners nystagmus.

Cold – Hypothermia, Frost bite, Trench foot.Pressure – Air embolism, Blast injuries.Vibration – Osteoarthritis, Reynauds

disease [white fingers]Noise – Occupational deafness.Radiation- Cancer, genetic changes,

Aplastic anaemia.

OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS

2. Chemical hazards• Acids• Bases• Heavy Metals – Lead• Solvents – Petroleum • Particulates – Asbestos, Silica and other

fine dust/fibrous materials• Fumes – noxious gases/vapors• Highly- reactive Metals

Ways of acquiring Chemical Hazards

A. Local action: irritants, sensitizersB. Inhalation:

Dusts – organic , Inorganic Gases – Simple asphyxiants : Methane, Nitrogen, CO2.

– Chemical asphyxiants : CO, Hydrogen sulphide, HCN

– Irritant gases: Ammonia, SO2, – Anesthetic gases: Chloroform, Ether,

Trichloroethylene.Metallic compounds

C. Ingestion: Metallic compounds: Arsenic, Antimony, Beryllium, Chromium, Cadmium, Cobalt, Lead, Mercury, Manganese, Zinc.

• Gases – gas poisoning.• Inorganic dusts:

Coal dust - Anthracosis Silica - Silicosis. Asbestos - Asbestosis. Iron - Siderosis

• Organic dusts : Cane fiber - Bagassosis. Cotton dust – Byssinosis. Hay or grain dust – Farmer’s lung.

• Chemicals – Burns, dermatitis, cancer, respiratory illness

• Metals – lead, mercury, arsenic, chromium cause poisoning

Diseases due to chemical agents

OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS

3. Biological hazardsBacteriaVirusesFungi – molds Insects – mosquitoes Hazardous Plants – Poison IvyBirdsAnimalsBlood-borne Pathogens

Diseases due to Biological Agents

Hepatitis B VirusHepatitis C VirusTuberculosis – particularly among Healthcare WorkersAsthma – among persons exposed to organic dustBlood-borne Diseases – HIV/AIDSAnthraxBrucellosisTetanusLeptospirosis

OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS

4. Psychosocial hazardsWork-related stress – excessive working

time and overwork

Violence –  from outside the organizationBullying – emotional and verbal abuseSexual HarassmentMobbingBurnoutExposure to unhealthy elements –

tobacco, uncontrolled alcohol

Disorders due to Psychosocial Agents

MSDs and work-related psychosocial factors such as high workload/demands, high perceived stress levels, low social support, low job control, low job satisfaction and monotonous work. 

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)• can affect the body’s muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and nerves. As well as the back, neck, shoulders and upper limbs; less often they affect the lower limbs.• develop over time and are caused either by the work itself or by the employees' working environment.

Psychosocial HazardsPsychological hazards basically causing stress to a worker.

This kind of hazard troubles an individual very much to an extent that his general well-being is affected.

Psychological reactions  the individual may feel frustrated,

impatient, anxious or irritable. If the situation is not addressed, the individual may become unmotivated, depressed and apathetic.

Psychosocial Hazards

Psychological causesDirectly related to the job itself:

overwork, poor work organization, poor opportunity for promotion, low job responsibility and boring work.

Outside pressures: financial problems, family difficulties, transport difficulties.

Problems with work colleagues: conflict or bullying.

Disorders due to Psychological Agents

Psychological Hazards resulting from stress & strain:

Depression DiscouragementBoredomAnxietyMemory lossDissatisfactionFrustrationIrritabilityDiscouragementPessimism

PREVENTION OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES.MEASURES FOR HEALTH PROTECTION OF WORKERS.

1.Nutrition.2.Communicable disease control.3.Environmental sanitation.• Water supply • Food• Toilet• Proper garbage & waste disposal.• General plant cleanliness.• Sufficient space.• Lighting.• Ventilation.• Protection against hazards.

4. Mental health: GOALS:

To promote health and happiness of workers. To detect signs of stress and strain and take

necessary measures. Treatment of employees suffering from mental

illnesses. Rehabilitation of those who become ill.

5. Measures for women and children.6. Family planning services7. Health education.

PREVENTION OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES.MEASURES FOR HEALTH PROTECTION OF WORKERS.

PREVENTION OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES MEDICAL MEASURES:

1. Pre –placement examination.2. Periodical health check up.3. Medical and health care facilities.4. Supervision of work environment.• Water supply , food, general plant

cleanliness • Toilet. Proper garbage & waste disposal.• Sufficient space.• Lighting.• Ventilation.• Protection against hazards.5. Notification6. Maintenance and analysis of records.7. Health education and counseling.