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
• 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-
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,
• 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
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 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
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
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.