Occupational Hazards

Specific Hazards Summary Section

based on what you learned from each of the readings - complete the information
given for each of the occupational health hazards.

Occupational Health Things you need to know

What is MSI? What causes it? What is the difference What is the safe lifting
between ‘back pain’ and technique? List the 8
Musculoskeletal Injuries; they ‘back strain’? steps
occur when a muscle is stretched
too far or becomes twisted Back pain: 60% of the 1. Place feet apart
Strains and Sprains
youth will experience it 2. Bend knees
(Ergonomic) and it reoccurs during 3. Hold object
adulthood close
4. Lift
Back strain: Occurs less smoothly/slowly
in youth and happens as 5. Pivot your feet
a result of heavy lifting 6. Push the load
7. Share the load
8. Get mechanical
assistance for
heavy loads
What are symptoms of heat What are some health What are ways to
stress? problems? prevent heat stress? (list
4 ways)
- Headache/Nausea It may develop heat
- Decreased efficiency exhaustion and heat 1. Drink lots of
- Irritability stroke water
Heat Stress - Dizziness 2. Wear light-
- Fainting colored, loose-
- Swelling of hands, feet, fitting clothing
ankles 3. Take breaks in
cool areas
4. Schedule work
to minimize
heat exposure

List 4 ways to reduce sun exposure

1. Wear sunglasses with 100% UVB protection

Sun Exposure 2. Wear clothing with long sleeves and long pants
3. Wear a hat
4. Always wear sun screen (preferably with SPF of 15 or higher)

What is the dangerous What are some What is the best way to reduce
noise level? potential, but less noise exposure?
obvious, noise
Noise Exposure The dangerous noise hazards? Workplace design is the best way –
level is 85 decibels the source of the noise can be
- Kitchen housed in enclosures
equipment
- Musical
 instruments
- Traffic
- Cleaning
equipment

What is Health problems Health problems of Health problems of

Asbestos? of ASBESTOS? LEAD? DUST?

Asbestos is a Accumulation of - Abdominal pain - Irritation of

fibrous material asbestos in the - Constipation eyes
Mineral and
which lungs as a result - Exhaustion - Coughing
Chemical Hazards strengthened of inhalation can - Irritation - Sneezing
heat/chemical cause lung - Sick/Weak - Hay fever
resistance cancer or lung - Asthma
disease such as attacks
Mesothelioma
What are pesticides? How do you protect against pesticides?

Mineral and Pesticides (also known as pest - Wash produce thoroughly

Chemical Hazards control products) are conventional
chemical substances that
Continued
control/destroy pests to prevent
their troublesome effects
- Store pesticides properly; away from food
sources
- Dispose of it properly
- Do not consume and prevent from getting
on skin

What are blood-borne diseases?

Biological Hazards Blood-borne diseases are diseases that are spread through the contamination of
blood/other body fluids. Bloodborne pathogens include viruses or bacteria. The most
common blood-borne diseases are HIV and Hepatitis A, B, and C.
What are three ways our bodies can How can we protect ourselves from Blood Borne
be infected with blood and bodily diseases?
fluids at work?
1. Approach blood and body fluid spills with
caution.
1. Finding used needles at 2. Use protective gear/clothing
Biological Hazards public work spaces 3. Properly clean up spills immediately to
continued 2. Finding used condoms at prevent spread
public work spaces
3. Accidental transmissions of
saliva