Occupatinal health hazards

1. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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. -

7. Physical hazards Chemical Biological Psychosocial a. Psychological and behavioral changes. b. Psychosomatic ill-health OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS

8. OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS 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 Ionizing - X-rays,gamma rays,beta particles , alpha particles Non-ionizing - microwaves, infrared, and ultra-violet light Noise – Auditory & non auditory effect. Vibration – hazardous in the frequency range of 10- 500Hz

9. 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 .

10. 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

11. Ways of acquiring Chemical Hazards 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.

12. 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

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

14. Diseases due to B iological A gents 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

15. OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS 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

16. 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 .

17. Psychosocial Hazards 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.

18. Psychosocial Hazards 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.

19. Disorders due to Psychological Agents Psychological Hazards resulting from stress & strain: Depression   Discouragement Boredom Anxiety Memory loss Dissatisfaction Frustration Irritability Discouragement Pessimism

20. PREVENTION OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES. MEASURES FOR HEALTH PROTECTION OF WORKERS. Nutrition. Communicable disease control. Environmental sanitation. Water supply Food Toilet Proper garbage & waste disposal. General plant cleanliness. Sufficient space. Lighting. Ventilation. Protection against hazards.

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

22. 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. Notification 6. Maintenance and analysis of records. 7. Health education and counseling.