This document discusses occupational hazards and their preventive measures. It defines occupational health as identifying and controlling risks from physical, chemical, and other workplace hazards to maintain a safe work environment. It describes six main types of occupational hazards: biological, chemical, physical, ergonomic, psychological, and safety hazards. For each hazard type, it provides examples of diseases and injuries caused and lists preventive measures to control the risks and protect worker health and safety. The overall document aims to raise awareness of occupational hazards and promote implementing preventive controls in the workplace.

1. Occupational
Hazards & It’s measures

2. Introduction:
What is Occupational Health??
Occupational health refers to the identification and control of
the risks arising from physical, chemical, and other
workplace hazards in order to establish and maintain a safe and
healthy working environment.

3. Meaning of Occupational hazards:
A substantial risk to a worker’s physical or mental well-being
which is present in a certain task, job or profession.
Occupational hazards include the likelihood of accidental injuries
and diseases.
They are the conditions surrounding a work environment that
increase the probability of death, disability or illness to a worker.

4. Types of Occupational hazards and it’s preventive
measures :-
1. Biological hazards:
It is caused by exposure to
bacteria, viruses,
insects, plants, birds,
animals or humans at
workplace.
Diseases caused:
Common cold, Rabies,
Tuberculosis, Zika virus etc.

5. Preventive measures:
a) Protective gears such as gloves, masks gowns or eye wear should be
used.
b) Vacuum seals and air curtains should be installed in laboratories to be
secured.
c) Antidotes should be readily available when in an accidental contact of a
disease.
d) Frequent hand washing.
e) Decontaminate all surfaces and reusable devices after use.

6. 2. Chemical hazards:
It is the resultant exposure of chemicals substances
such as reagents, toxic fumes, gases or flammable
materials like gasoline, solvents or explosive
chemicals etc.
Diseases caused:
Cancer(skin, lung etc), irritation to eyes, asthma etc.

7. Preventive measures:
a) Limit access to chemicals.
b) Do not use excessive lubricants or
grease on equipments.
c) Clean and sanitize equipments
that has come in contact with
pesticides.
d) Be aware to mention certain
allergic properties labeled properly
on food containers.
e) Keep chemicals out of reach from
food, ingredients and packaging.
f) Train employees to follow safe
handling and application
procedures for maintenance of
chemicals etc.

8. 3. Physical hazards:
It is caused by radiations including ionizing, non-ionizing (microwaves, radio waves, etc).
High exposure to sunlight / ultraviolet rays.
Temperature extremes – hot & cold. Working in confined spaces.
Listening to constant loud noise, vibrations.
Pressure extreme area – high & low.
Diseases caused:
Hypothermia, dysbarism w.r.t pressure change, claustrophobia, brain tumors etc.

9. Preventive measures:
a) Good sanitation and
quality control program.
b) Wear proper attire to
protect from skin burn or
rash. Use barrier creams if
possible.
c) Hydrate yourself always.
d) Use heat or cold resistant
gloves when in need.
e) Wear protective ear gears
for noisy workplace.
f) Limit working time on
drilling objects and wear
protective gear on hands
or body as required.

10. 4. Ergonomic hazards:
It occur when the type of
work, body positions and
working conditions put a strain
on your body because of
repetitive movements,
improper set up of workstation ,
frequent lifting objects etc.
Injuries caused:
Muscle soreness, swelling or
numbness.
Musculoskeletal injuries such as
carpal tunnel syndrome,
bursitis, tendinitis.

11. Preventive measures:
a) Use a work station that is suitable to
your height and to maintain proper
posture.
b) Take frequent brakes and relax yourself
by stretching or a walk.
c) Vary the muscular movements while
working.
d) Only use optimum force that is
required to complete the task.
e) Pace your work. Don’t be too fast or
slow to do the work.
f) Indulge in physical activity like sports
or fitness training in leisure time to
strengthen your muscles and to be
more flexible.
g) Introducing mechanical robots or
machines to lift heavy objects.

12. 5. Psychological hazards:
They are aspects of the work environment and the
way that work is organized that are associated with
mental disorders or physical injury or illness.
Work load, bullying, lack of appreciation, dispute,
bullying, sexual harassment etc.
Effects on Health:
Stress, anxiety, poor communication and
interpersonal relationships.
Tiredness, fatigue etc.

13. Preventive measures:
a) Training should be given to increase awareness of signs and
symptoms of critical incident stress or anxiety levels.
b) Scheduling shift basis to avoid over work load on an employee.
c) Indulge in team participation such as recreational games or
organize corporate sports events.
d) Develop healthy relationship with your fellow colleagues
through counseling techniques.
e) Develop mental health by engaging in yogic practices and
breathing techniques to calm your mind and to gain
confidence.

14. 6. Safety hazards:
They are caused by slipping or tripping of heavy/light objects ,
inappropriate machine guarding, equipment malfunctions or
breakdowns, electric shocks or fire explosion etc.
Causes:
Injury, illness or death.
Unsafe healthy working environment leads to potential risks.

15. Preventive measures:
a) Prohibition of smoking in
manufacturing areas.
b) Hazardous operation
should be isolated.
c) Suitable emergency exists.
d) Use proper safety gear and
equipments.
e) Clean up spills
immediately.
f) Don’t carry loads that you
can’t see over. Always
watch where are you going.
g) Use cautionary signs to
indicate any problems.
h) Handle equipments
properly or any mechanical
device as per the
instructions.

16. THANK-YOU