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 persons
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

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.


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.

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 hazards
2. Chemical
3. Biological
4. Psychosocial
a. Psychological and behavioral changes.
b. Psychosomatic ill-health


1. Physical hazards
Heat Direct & indirect effect of high temperature,
radiant heat, heat stagnation.
Cold General & local cold injury
Light 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

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.

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

A. Local action: irritants, sensitizers
B. 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 Farmers lung.
Chemicals Burns, dermatitis, cancer, respiratory
illness
Metals lead, mercury, arsenic, chromium cause
poisoning


3. Biological hazards
Bacteria
Viruses
Fungi molds
Insects mosquitoes
Hazardous Plants Poison Ivy
Birds
Animals
Blood-borne Pathogens

Hepatitis B Virus
Hepatitis C Virus
Tuberculosis particularly among
Healthcare Workers
Asthma among persons exposed to
organic dust
Blood-borne Diseases HIV/AIDS
Anthrax
Brucellosis
Tetanus
Leptospirosis


4. Psychosocial hazards
Work-related stress excessive working
time and overwork
Violence from outside the organization
Bullying emotional and verbal abuse
Sexual Harassment
Mobbing
Burnout
Exposure to unhealthy elements
tobacco, uncontrolled alcohol



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 bodys 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.
Psychological 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.



Psychological causes
Directly 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.





Psychological Hazards resulting from stress & strain:
Depression
Discouragement
Boredom
Anxiety
Memory loss
Dissatisfaction
Frustration
Irritability
Discouragement
Pessimism
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 services
7. Health education.
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. Notification
6. Maintenance and analysis of records.
7. Health education and counseling.