Occupational health aims to promote worker health and prevent work-related illness. It focuses on assessing hazards, educating workers, and creating healthy work environments. The document defines occupational health and discusses international standards. It outlines the goals of occupational health nursing, including health screenings, education, and rehabilitation. Key hazards like noise, chemicals, and radiation are summarized. The roles of occupational health professionals in addressing these risks are also highlighted.

1. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
PRESENTED BY-
SAURABH SINGH TOMAR
ASSIT.PROFESSOR
(COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING)
E-MAIL-saurabh.singh406@gmail.com

2. INTRODUCTION
• Occupational health care is preventive health care,
which is provided on the basis of the Occupational
Health Care Act.
• The objective of occupational health care is a providing
of healthy and safe working environment, a well-
functioning working community, prevention of work-
related diseases as well as the maintenance of
employees’ working ability and functional capacity, and
promotion of their health.

3. DEFINITIONS
1. ‘The promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of
physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all
occupations’
(Harrington & Gill,1992)
2. Occupational Health is the promotion and maintenance of
the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being
of workers in all occupations by preventing departures from
health, controlling risks and the adaptation of work to
people, and people to their jobs.
(ILO / WHO 1950)

4. What is Occupational Health
Nursing?
• The specialty practice that focuses on the promotion,
prevention, and restoration of health within the context
of a safe and healthy environment.
• It includes the prevention of adverse health effects from
occupational and environmental hazards.
• It provides for and delivers occupational and
environmental health and safety programs and services to
clients.
• It is an autonomous specialty, and nurses make
independent nursing judgments in providing health care
services.
American Association of Occupational Health Nurses,
2004

5. AIM
"The promotion and maintenance of the highest degree
of physical, mental and social well-being of workers
in all occupations“

6. OBJECTIVES
• The maintenance and promotion of workers’ health
and working capacity.
• To prevent occupational diseases and injuries
• The improvement of working environment and work
to become conducive to safety and health
• Development of work organizations and working
cultures ,which supports health and safety at work
and promotes a positive social climate and smooth
operation and may enhance productivity of the
undertakings.
Joint ILO/WHO Committee on Occupational Health

7. CONTENT
1. Health promotion of workers
2. Prevention of occupational diseases
3. Roles and responsibilities of occupational health nurse
4. Administration of occupational health services
5. International organizations
6. Women and occupational health
7. Child labour and prevention
8. Values at workplace

8. HEALTH PROMOTION
OF WORKERS
Recommendationsby ILO / WHO committee on
occupational health in 1953
1) Nutrition
2) Communicable disease control
3) Environmental sanitation
4) Mental health
5) Measures for women and
children
6) Health education
7) Family planning

9. NUTRITION
• Provide proper diet to
avoid the Malnutrition
of workers
• Canteen /250 workers
• Diet and snacks at
reasonable rates
• Store /dining room
• Health education

10. COMMUNICABLE DISEASE
CONTROL
 Early diagnosis and prompt treatment
 Cases isolated from working environment
 Protective measures
 Regular Medical checkup & Immunization for
communicable diseases like TB, Typhoid, hepatitis,
malaria, venereal diseases

11. ENVIRONMENTAL
SANITATION
• Water supply
• Food
• Toilet
• General cleanliness
• Space
• Lighting
• Ventilation/Temperature
• Protection from hazards
• Housing

12. MENTAL HEALTH
• Promote health and happiness
• Detect signs of emotional
stress
• Identify the cause
• Treatment
• Rehabilitation of the ill cases
• Psychological support
• Wholesome environment of
working area

13. MEASURES FOR WOMEN
&CHILDREN
• Maternity leave for 12 weeks
with cash benefit under ESI
act
• Ante/Intra/Postnatal services
• Prohibition of night work
• Prohibits of work
underground
• Crèches
• No child below 14 shall be
employed

14. HEALTH EDUCATION
• Important health promotional
measure
• Provided whenever
necessary
• Content –Hygiene,
participation
• At all levels –Management –
Supervisors –Workers –
Trade union leaders

15. PREVENTION FROM
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
1.MEDICAL
MEASURES
2.ENGINEERING
MEASURES
3.LEGISLATIVE
MEASURES

16. FAMILY PLANNING
• Encouraged to adopt
small family norm
• Health education
• Encourage for family
planning methods

17. MEDICAL MEASURES
• Pre placement examination
• Periodical examination
• Medical & health care service
• Notification
• Supervision of working
environment
• Maintenance & analysis of records
• Health education & counseling

18. ENGINEERING MEASURES
• Design of building
• Good housekeeping
• General ventilation
• Mechanization
• Substitution
• Dusts enclosure and isolation
• Local exhaust ventilation
• Protective devices
• Research
• Statistical monitoring
• Environmental monitoring

19. LEGISLATIVE MEASURES
• The Factories Act, 1948
• The Employees State InsuranceAct,
1948
• Mine & Mineral Act, (Development
& Regulation) Act, 1957
• Noise Pollution (Regulation &
Control ) Rules, 2000
• The Child Labour (Prohibition &
Regulation) Act, 1986
• The Air (Prevention & Control of
Pollution ) Act, 1981
• Maternity Benefit Act (1961)
• Minimum wages Act

20. THE FACTORIES ACT,1948
• Factories act enacted in 1881
• The act amended in 1911, 1934, 1948,
1976, 1987
• Factory: establishment employing 10
or more workers where power is used,
and 20 or more workers where power
is not used.
• Prescribed working hours, holidays
and employment of young men and
women.
• Prohibits employment of children
under 14 years
• Adolescents should be duly certified
by certifying surgeons regarding
fitness to work

21. THE FACTORIES ACT, 1948
• Chapter III (Section 11-20) deals
with health aspects
• Chapter IV (Section 21-40) deals
with safety aspects
• Chapter V deals with welfare
aspects
• Chapter VI deals with work hours
holidays interval
• Chapter VII deals with employment
of young person

22. THE EMPLOYEES STATE
INSURANCE ACT, 1948
• Provides cash and medical benefits to
industrial employees in case of sickness,
maternity and employment injury.
• Administration by ESI Corporation
• The Union minister for labour :chairman
• Secretary Ministry of labour : vice
chairman
• 4 principal officers –
Insurance commissioner
Medical commissioner
Finance commissioner
Actuary

23. THE EMPLOYEES STATE
INSURANCEACT, 1948
BENEFITS TO
EMPLOYEES
• Medical benefit
• Sickness benefit
• Maternity benefit
• Disablement benefit
• Dependent benefit
• Funeral expense
• Rehabilitation
allowance
BENEFITS OF
EMPLOYER
• Exemption from the applicability
of Workmen's Compensation Act
1923
• Exemption from Maternity
Benefit Act 1961
• Exemption from payment of
Medical allowance to employees
and their dependants or arranging
for their medical care
• Rebate under the Income Tax Act
on contribution deposited in the
ESI Account
• Healthy work-force.

24. THE CHILD LABOUR
(PROHIBITION & REGULATION)
ACT, 1986
• Child (under 14 years) labour is
prohibited in India under The
Child Labour (Prohibition And
Regulation) Act, 1986.
• It includes work in a shop,
commercial establishment, work-
shop, farm, residential hotel,
restaurant, eating house, theatre or
other place of public amusement
or entertainment

25. ADVANTAGES OF
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CARE
1. Investigates and assesses load factors and hazards and
gives expert assistance for eliminating them
2. Gives information and advice
3. Estimates employees’ working ability and monitors
their health condition
4. By its knowledge and skills supports action for
maintaining working ability in the development of
individuals, working environment and working
community, in this way also affecting productivity
continued
5. Prevents occupational diseases and other work-related
illnesses .

26. Cont….
5. Prevents premature incapacity for work, reduces
pension costs
6. Reduces absenteeism due to sickness
7. Can make calculations of the profitability of
occupational safety and health and occupational
health care in cooperation with workplaces or
encourage workplaces to make these themselves

27. THE NEED OF OCCUPATIONAL
HEALTH SERVICES
1. Any undertakings, which employ more than the
prescribed number.
2. Public sector undertakings
3. Atomic energy unit, explosive production unit,
mining unit, and asbestos production unit etc.,
4. A unit where workers are exposed to health hazards
from toxic substances.

28. FUNCTIONS OF OCCUPATIONAL
HEALTH SERVICE
1. Pre-employment medical examination.
2. First Aid and emergency service.
3. Supervision of the work environment for the
control of dangerous substances in the work
environment.
4. Special periodic medical examination particularly
for the workers in dangerous operations.
5. Health education for disseminating information on
specific hazards and risks in the work environment.

29. 6. Special examination and surveillance of health of women and
children
7. Advising the employer or management for improving working
conditions, and placement of hazards.
8. Monitoring of working environment for assessment and control
of hazards.
9. Supervision over sanitation, hygiene and canteen facilities.
10. Liaison and cooperation with the safety committees
10. Liaison and cooperation with the safety committees
11. Maintenance of medical records for medical check-up and
follow-up for maintaining health standards and also for
evaluation.
12. To carry out other parallel activities such as nutrition
programme, family planning, social services recreation etc.,
Concerning the health and welfare of the workers.

30. COMPONENTS OCCUPATIONAL
HEALTH SERVICES
• Medical treatment, First aid treatment in emergency.
• Health education, First aid education.
• Medical examination
• Pre employment examination
• Medical treatment, First aid treatment in emergency.
• Health education, First aid education.
• Medical examination
 Pre employment examination
 Periodic medical examination
 Special medical examination

31. • Health counseling
 Stress management
 Mental health
 And Physical health
 Rehabilitation programme
 Medical rehabilitation
 Social rehabilitation
 Educational rehabilitation
 Vocational rehabilitation
• Assessment of dusts pollution
• Assessment of noise pollution
 Assessment of vibration
 Assessment heat radiation
 Assessment of radiation

32. • Family welfare program
• To take care of employee and dependents
• Disaster management
• Health records maintenance
• Supervision of the working environment
 Hazard identification
 Monitoring
 Evaluation
 Engineering project review
 Control measures
 Development of personal protective devices

33. 12- MAIN FUNCTIONS
SPECIFIC TO OCCUPATIONAL
HEALTH NURSING
ACCORDING TO Dorward (1993 cited by Oakley
1. Health supervision of
workers
2. Health surveillance of the
work environment
3. Accident prevention
4. Prevention of occupational
ill health
5. Treatment of illness
6. Treatment of illness and
injury at work
7. First aid course
8. Promotion of health and
prevention of ill health
9. Giving counselling
10. Rehabilitation and
resettlement into work;
records and reports
11. Liaison and co-operation
(internally and externally)
12. Administration of the health
unit
13. Research (including surveys)

34. 5 MAJOR ROLES OF THE OHN
1. Clinician/Practitioner
2. Administrator
3. Educator
4. Researcher
5. Consultant
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
NURSE

35. 1. CLINICIAN/PRACTITIONER
1. Assess work environment
2. Assess workers health status
3. Perform health surveillance
4. Provide direct nursing care
5. Conduct health education and
counselling
6. Collaborate, communicate and consult
with Occ. Safety & Health (OSH) team
7. Maintain accurate, concise and
complete records
8. Develop and implement programs to
correct health and safety hazards

36. 9. Institute personal protective programs
10. Initiate referrals to hospitals and clinics
11. Conduct health screening programs
12. Conduct health training programs
13. Manage workers compensation claims
14. Maintain professionalism and ethical
conduct
15. Adhere to legal requirements in exercising
duites

37. 2. ADMINISTRATOR
1. Maintain awareness of
technology, legal &
professional changes
associated with OH and Safety
2. Coordinates in professional
growth & education
opportunities for staff
3. Formulates policies for OH and
Safety
4. Develops, implements and
evaluates OH service

38. 3. EDUCATOR
1. Provide education programs to
employers & employees
2. Promotes integration of OHN practice
into nursing education
3. Utilize experts in OHS in planning &
coordinating relevant education
programs
4. Collaborates with other OHN
regarding practice issues & students
practical sites
5. Serves as a role model and preceptor
for the students

39. 4. RESEARCHER
1. Participates in the development
& implementation of research
2. Disseminates research findings
to others through presentation,
publication & practice
3. Incorporates research results
into own practice
4. Collaborates with other
members of OH team in
developing & conducting
research

40. 5. CONSULTANT
1. Offer advise to the patient
regarding the future treatment,
or preventative measures to be
taken at work when it is
appropriate.
2. Offer advice to management
regarding the health of the
worker as it may be affected by
the processes or the substances
used in them, where she/he
considers such advice to be
necessary

41. SPECIFIC ROLES OF THE OHN
Harrison (1984)
1. Advisor
2. Counselor
3. Educator
4. Environmentalist
5. Hygienist
6. Interpreter
1. Leader
2. Rehabilitator
3. Researcher
4. Safety expert
5. Supervisor
6. Student

42. SKILLSAND COMPETENCIES
OF THE OCCUPATIONAL
HEALTH NURSE
Clinical and primary care
Case management
Workforce, workplace, and environmental issues
Legal and ethical responsibilities
Management and administration
Health promotion and disease prevention
Occupational and environmental health and safety
education
Research
Professionalism

43. ROLE OF COMMUNTY HEALTH
NURSE IN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
• HOME CARE
• COOPERATION OF PLANT
DEPARTMENT
• SPECIAL PROVISION FOR SERVICES
FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN
• CRÈCHE WORK
• REHABILITATION OF THE ILL AND
INJURED WORKERS
• INDUSTRIAL PLANT SURVEY
• ADMINISTRATIVE
RESPONSIBILITIES

45. OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS
PHYSICAL
HAZARDS
CHEMICAL
HAZARDS
BIOLOGICAL
HAZARDS
MECHANICAL
HAZARDS
PSYCHOLOGICAL
HAZARDS

46. 1. PHYSICAL HAZARDS
HEAT The direct effects are
• Burns
• Heat exhaustion
• Heat stroke
• Heat cramps
The indirect effects are
• Decreased efficiency,
• Increased fatigue
• Enhanced accident rates
COLD • Chilblains
• Erythrocyanosis
• Immersion foot
• Frostbite as a result of cutaneous vasoconstriction.
• General hypothermia

47. LIGHT effects of poor illumination
are
• Eye strain,
• Headache,
• Eye pain,
• Lacrymation,
• Congestion around the cornea
• Eye fatigue.
• The chronic effects on health
include "miner's nystagmus“
effects of
excessive brightnes
illumination are
• Discomfort,
• Annoyance
• visual fatigue
• Blurring of
vision
NOICE Non auditory effects
• Nervousness,
• Fatigue,
• Interference with
communication by speech,
• Decreased efficiency
• Annoyance
Auditory effects
• Temporary or
permanent hearing
loss

48. VIBRATION •It is encounter in work with drills and hammers
• Continuous work with such machines affects
hands and arms.
•The blood vessels of fingers may become
increasingly sensitive to spasm.
•It may also produce injuries of the joints of the
hands, elbow shoulder.
ULTRAVIOLET
RADIATION
• Mainly occurs in arc and other electric welding
process
Conjunctivitis
• Keratitis (welder's flash)
IONIZING
RADIATION
• Genetic changes
• Malformation
• Cancer
• Leukaemia
•Depilation
• Ulceration
• Sterility
• in extreme cases death.

49. 2. CHEMICAL HAZARDS
LOCALACTION
INHALATIONINGESTION

50. 1)Local Action
• Dermatitis
• Eczema
• Ulcers
• Cancer by primary irritant action

51. 2) Inhalation
DUST Dusts Dusts are finely divided solid particles with size ranging
from 0.1 to 150 microns
Dust particles larger than 10 microns settle down from the air
rapidly,
Indefinitely Particles smaller than 5 microns are directly
inhaled into the lungs and are retained there and is mainly
responsiblefor pneumoconiosis
Gases Simple gases (e.g., oxygen, hydrogen),
Asphyxiating gases (e.g. carbon monoxide, cyanide gas,
sulphur dioxide, chlorine)
Anaesthetic gases (e.g., chloroform, ether, trichlorethylene).
Metals and their
compounds
Lead,
antimony,
arsenic,
beryllium,
cadmium,
cobalt, manganese,
mercury,
phosphorus,
chromium,
zinc and others

52. 3) Ingestion
• Occupational diseases may also result from
ingestion of chemical substances such as lead,
mercury, arsenic, zinc, chromium, cadmium,
phosphorus etc.

53. 3. BIOLOGICAL
HAZARDS
• Brucellosis
• Leptospirosis
• Anthrax
• Hydatidosis
• Tetanus
• Encephalitis
• fungal infections
• Schistosomiasis
• a host of others

54. 4. MECHANICAL
HAZARDS
• May cause due to protruding
moving parts of machinery.
• Sometimes due to own
carelessness
• About 10% of accidents in
industry are said to be due to
mechanical causes.
Who are at risk?
1) Agricultural workers
2) Business establishments
workers
3) Construction workers
4) Transport workers
Common injuries due to trips, slips or falls, mishandling and
lifting of equipment
• Sprains and strains
• Back injuries
• Head injuries
• Neck injuries
• Appendage injuries

55. 5. PSYCHOSOCIAL HAZARDS
FACTORS AFFECT HEALTH
• Frustration
• Lack of job satisfaction
• Insecurity
• Poor human relationships
• Emotional tension
• Psychosocial hazards
• The health effects can be
classified in two
(a) Psychological and
behavioural changes
(b) Psychosomatic ill health
PSYCHOLOGICAL AND
BEHAVIOURAL CHANGE
• Hostility/ unfriendly
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Tiredness
• Aggressiveness
• Drug abuse
• Absenteeism

56. PSYCHOSOMATIC ILL
HEALTH
• Fatigue
• Pain in shoulder, neck and
back
• Prone to peptic ulcer
• Hypertension
• Heart disease
• Rapid aging