Occupational hazards

1. OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS &
PULMONARY DISEASE
Dr. M. Omer
MBBS, MPH
Lecturer
CHS

2. Occupational health
 is the promotion and maintenance of the
highest degree of physical, mental and
social well-being of workers in all
occupations
Hazard
 something that can cause harm if not
controlled.
Occupational disease
 Disease directly caused by a person’s
occupation.

3. 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.

4. 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.-

5. 1. Physical hazards
2. Chemical
3. Biological
4. Psychological and behavioral
changes.

6. 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.
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

7. I. Physical Hazards due to
A)Heat ( Hyperthermia)
1) Heatstroke – death because of prolonged
exposure to the sun or heat.
2) Heat Exhaustion-- Symptoms are headache,
fatigue, muscle weakness, etc.

8. 3) Heat syncope ( fainting)
Falling unconscious because of too much exposure
to high temperatures
Muscle spasm that result from lack of salt and water
due to rigorous activities
4) Heat cramps

9. 5) Burns
Burns can be caused by direct fire or electrocution
Who are at risk?
Agricultural workers
field workers,
nursery workers
dairy workers
fire fighters,
carpenters,
civil engineers,
factory workers,
street sweepers,
athletes, bakers, cooks, soldiers,
industrial engineers electricians,
electrical engineers, traffic policemen,
truck drivers, welders, car racers,
motocross racers, oil refinery workers,

10. 8) Preventive Measures (Heat)
a) Wear proper clothing, protective gadgets, use proper
equipment
b) Have regular medical check-ups, make sure the workers
are fit for the job.
c) Have careful and proper training.
d) There should be a regular check-up of all equipment,
e) Constantly check the temperature in the work place.
F ) Proper time management.

11. B) Cold
1) Trench foot - is a medical condition caused by
prolonged exposure of the feet to damp, unsanitary,
and cold conditions.
2) Frostbite
is the medical condition where localized damage is
caused to skin and other tissues due to freezing.

12. 3) Chilbains
are small, itchy, painful lumps that develop on the skin.
caused by poor circulation in the skin when exposed to
cold.
Who are at risk?
Workers in places that have
winter,
fishermen,
people working in the grocery
the frozen food,
road construction workers,
market vendors(fish market,
meat market) soldiers during the
war, ice

13. 5) Preventive Measures (Cold)
a) Use proper clothing and safety
gear( ear cuffs, scarf, bonnets,
hats, etc
-should not be too tight to allow
ventillation
b) Temperature in the workplace
must be closely monitored
c) Have regular medical check-ups
d) Employees should be properly
trained
e) Make sure shoes, socks and
boots are cleaned regularly
f) Always have hot beverage
available
g) Boots should be waterproof
h) Avoid touching cold metals with
bare skin
i) Bring a thermometer
j) Use gas or electrical heaters

14. C) Light
1) Occupational cataract Usually in people working
with radiation and x-rays (radiologists)
2) Miner’s nystagmus
An occupational disease that occurs among coal
miners, usually those of middle age or elderly.
Its physical symptoms consist of difficulty of seeing in
the dark or in poor light

15. D ) Pressure
1) decompression sickness. At risk are scuba
diving, marine biologists, fishermen, marine
photographers
2) Explosions or blast overpressure or BOP:-
Explosions due to negligence or unattended
equipment that can are pressurized, incompetence,
defective or destroyed

16. F) Noise: Occupational Deafness
a) Occupational Deafness is a kind of sensorineural
hearing loss. It is caused by prolonged exposure to
noise at work which results in the damage of the nerve
cells of the inner ear.
Who are at risk?
Farmers, civil engineers, construction workers, factory
workers, mining engineers, musicians and music teachers,
airline workers, police, soldiers, pilots

17. G) Radiation
a) Refers to ionizing radiation ( x-rays and Gamma rays)
b) Exposure to high doses cause damage to living tissue,
skin burns and death
c) Low exposure causes cancer and genetic damage
Who are at risk?
Those working in manufacturing factories ,
researchers/scientists, nuclear power industry, nuclear
engineers, physicians and some health workers.

18. H) Mechanical Factors
a) The mechanical hazards in industry centre round
machinery, protruding and moving parts. Mostly
accidents in industry are due to mechanical causes.
b) Who are at risk?
1) agricultural workers
2) business establishments
workers
3) construction workers
4) transport workers

19. I) Vibration
Continuous work with such machines
affects hands and arms.
The blood vessels of fingers may
become increasingly sensitive to spasm
Who are at risk?
Hammer drill operators, chain saw
operators,
Bulldozer drivers, loader drivers,
people working with pumps,
compressors and generators

20. BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS
VIRUSES FUNGI
BACTERIA PARASITES
Insects
Birds
Animals
Blood-borne Pathogens

21. Diseases due to Biological Agents
Hepatitis B Virus
Hepatitis C Virus
Tuberculosis – particularly among
Healthcare Workers
Blood-borne Diseases – HIV/AIDS
Anthrax
Tetanus

22. 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

23.  Gases – gas poisoning.
 Inorganic dusts:
 Coal dust - Anthracosis
 Silica - Silicosis.
Silicosis, the oldest known occupational lung
disease, develops in people who have
inhaled silica dust for many years. (fibrosing
pneumoconiosis)
 Asbestos - Asbestosis.
Workers who demolish buildings that have
insulation containing asbestos are at increased risk
(Bronchogenic carcinoma)
 Iron - Siderosis
Diseases due to chemical
agents

24. Organic dusts :
 Cane fiber - Bagassosis.
 Cotton dust – Byssinosis.
It produces obstructive impairment
of lung function (asthma)
 grain dust – Farmer’s lung.
Chemicals – Burns, dermatitis,
cancer, respiratory illness
Metals – lead, mercury, arsenic,
chromium cause poisoning

25. Definition of
Pneumoconiosis
 Occupational Lung disease
secondary to inhalation of
inorganic dust
leading to change in the
lung architecture
excluding chronic
bronchitis, emphysema,
and cancer

26. Occupational Asthma
 Symptoms usually begin several weeks after
exposure begins.
 Early in the syndrome, the patient may just notice a
dry cough.
 Patient may not be continuously exposed to
provoking antigen.
 A portable peak-flow meter and a diary is very
helpful in determining if a work-place antigen is
responsible

27. Prevention of Occupational
asthma
 Transition to safer Chemicals.
 Animal Allergens in the work place should be
removed.
 Control of Dust from Powder Dye Handling
operations.
 Allergic diseases should be controlled.

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

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

30. 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.

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

32. 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.