OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS

Objective: To describe the different hazards and explain their effect on workers.
Occupational Health – it is the promotion & maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental & social
well-being of workers in all occupations (ILO- 1950)
AIMS OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
1. Promotion and maintenance of the physical, mental and social well being of workers;
2. Prevention of illness
3. Protection of workers from risks at work
4. Placement and maintenance of workers in an occupational environment appropriate to his capacity
TYPES OF HAZARDS 3. Biological Hazards
1. Physical Hazards 4. Ergonomic Hazards
2. Chemical Hazards
PHYSICAL HAZARDS 3. Extremes of temperature
1. Noise 4. Illumination
2. Vibration 5. Pressure
CHEMICAL HAZARDS
A) Forms:
1) Liquids
2) Solids
3) Gas
B) Route Of Entry
1) Inhalation
2) Ingestion
3) Dermal
4) Eye Contamination
BIOLOGIC HAZARDS
1) Bacteria
2) Viruses
3) Fungi
4) Insects/Parasites
ERGONOMIC HAZARDS - Mismatch between the worker and his work
1) Improper Tools and Equipment Design
2) Unnecessary and Unusual Lifting or Reaching
3) Repetitive Motions
4) Stress at Work
I. PHYSICAL HAZARDS
1. NOISE – harmful sound, which has 3 characteristics (of Sound):
 Frequency - measured in (Hertz) cycles per second
 Loudness - intensity of the sound, measured in Decibel (dB)
 Duration – continuous, intermittent, burst, waxing / waning
PERMISSIBLE NOISE EXPOSURE (OSHA 1981)
Duration/day Sound Level
(hours) (dB)
8 90
4 93
2 96
1 99
0.5 102
0.25 or less 105