Occupational health hazards can be chemical, physical, biological, or ergonomic in nature. Chemical hazards refer to exposure to toxic substances which can cause both acute and chronic health effects impacting major organ systems. Physical hazards include noise, vibration, temperature extremes, radiation, and illumination issues. Biological hazards arise from exposure to bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Ergonomic hazards are due to improperly designed tools, workstations, tasks or environments which can cause musculoskeletal disorders. Stress is also an occupational health issue with physiological, behavioral and psychological manifestations if not properly managed.

1. OCCUPATIONALOCCUPATIONAL
HEALTH HAZARDSHEALTH HAZARDS

2. CHEMICAL
HAZARD
PHYSICAL
HAZARD
BIOLOGICAL
HAZARD
ERGONOMIC
HAZARD

3. HAZARD AND RISKHAZARD AND RISK
 HAZARD
- any source of
potential damage,
harm or adverse
health effects on
something or
someone under
certain conditions
at work.
 RISK
- the chance or
probability that a
person will be
harmed or
experience an
adverse health
effect if exposed
to a hazard.

4. WORKPLACE HAZARDSWORKPLACE HAZARDS
Safety Hazards
 working conditions where
harm to the workers is of
an immediate and violent
nature
 result in broken bones,
cuts, bruises, sprains,
loss of limbs, etc.
 the harm results in some
kind of injury to the
worker
 associated with poorly
guarded or dangerous
equipment and machinery
Health Hazards
 working conditions
which result in an illness
 exposure to dangerous
substances or
conditions, such as
chemicals, gases, dusts,
noise etc.
 often, latency between
exposure and disease

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6. CHEMICAL HAZARDSCHEMICAL HAZARDS

7. Chemical HazardsChemical Hazards
Routes of entry into the body
Inhalation
Ingestion
Skin Contact

8. Chemical HazardsChemical Hazards
Routes of excretion
Gastro-intestinal
(feces)
Renal (urine) Respiratory
(exhalation)
Skin (sweat, hair, nails)

9. Chemical HazardsChemical Hazards
Classification of Toxic Effects
 Local toxicity- occurs at the site of chemical contact
 Systemic toxicity- occurs distant from point of contact,
may involve many organ systems
 Acute toxicity-Acute toxicity- occurs almost immediately
(hours/days) after an exposure
 Chronic toxicity-Chronic toxicity- represents cumulative damage to
specific organ systems; occurs many months or years
to have recognizable clinical disease

10. Chemical HazardsChemical Hazards
Health Effects
 Renal Diseases
 Respiratory Diseases
 Skin Diseases
 Hematologic Diseases
 Cardiovascular
Diseases
 Neurologic Diseases
 Carcinogenic
 Teratogenic

11. Chemical HazardsChemical Hazards
Effects Chemical Agent Industry/Process
Renal Diseases:
acute/chronic renal
failure
Mercury, cadmium,
chloroform
Battery, chemical
industries,
pesticide
Respiratory Diseases:
Irritation, inflammation Solvents, ammonia Chemical industries
Pneumoconiosis Inorganic dust Mining, construction,
sandblasting, coal
Cancer Chromium Plating, metal refining

12. Chemical HazardsChemical Hazards
Blood Diseases:
Anemia Lead Battery mfg., lead
smelting
Aplastic anemia Benzene Solvent & soap mfg.
Skin Diseases:
Allergic/contact
dermatitis
Plastic epoxides Plastic, varnish
Acne Cutting oils, grease Machine-tool
operators
Skin Cancer Arsenic, tar Petroleum refinery

13. Chemical HazardsChemical Hazards
Liver Disease:
Acute liver toxicity Carbon
tetrachloride
Cleaning fluids, dry
cleaners
Liver cancer Vinyl chloride Plastics & vinyl
chloride mfg.
Cardiovascular Disease:
Hypertension Lead, Cadmium Battery mfg. &
recycling
Atherosclerosis Carbon disulfide Degreasing, dry
cleaning
Arrythmias Fluorocarbon,
trichloroethylene
Refrigeration, solvent
workers

14. PHYSICAL HAZARDSPHYSICAL HAZARDS

15. Physical HazardsPhysical Hazards
Noise
Vibration
Extreme Temperature
Illumination
Radiation

17. NOISENOISE
Types of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Temporary Threshold Shift (auditory
fatigue)
◦ temporary loss of hearing acuity after
exposure to loud noise
◦ recovery within 16-48 hrs
Permanent Threshold Shift
◦ irreversible loss of hearing

18. Other Harmful Effects of
Noise
• Hypertension
• Hyperacidity
• Palpitations
• Disturbs relaxation and sleep

20. Segmental Vibration:Segmental Vibration:
• Health Effects:
—Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)
—tingling, numbness, blanching of fingers
—pain

21. Whole Body Vibration:Whole Body Vibration:
Health effects:
◦ Fatigue
◦ Irritability
◦ Headache
◦ Disorders of the spine

23. Disorders Clinical features
Prickly Heat (Miliaria
rubra)
Pruritic rash
Heat cramps Cramps in the body,
usually legs
Heat exhaustion Dizziness, fainting
attack, blurring of vision,
cold, clammy and sweaty
skin
Heat stroke Cyanosis, muscle
twitchings,
disorientation, delirium,
convulsions
Health Effects of Heat Stress

24.  Frostbite: reddening of skin,
localized burning pain and
numbness. Fingers, toes,
cheeks, nose, ears are most
susceptible.
 trench foot or immersion
foot: numbness, pain,
cramps, ulceration and
gangrene.
Health Effects of Cold Temperature

26. Inadequate IlluminationInadequate Illumination
Health Effects
◦ Visual Fatigue
◦ Double Vision
◦ Headaches
◦ Painful irritation
◦ Lacrimation
◦ Conjunctivitis

28. RADIATIONRADIATION
Non-ionizing Ultraviolet
Infrared
Laser
skin redness, premature
skin ageing, and skin
cancer
corneal and conjunctival
burns, retinal injury,
cataract
Skin and eye problem
Types Sources Health Effects
Ionizing X-rays
Gamma rays
Cancer, congenital
defects, death

29. BIOLOGICAL HAZARDSBIOLOGICAL HAZARDS

30. BIOLOGICAL HAZARDSBIOLOGICAL HAZARDS
VIRUSES FUNGI
BACTERIA PARASITES

31. Selected Infectious Diseases andSelected Infectious Diseases and
OccupationsOccupations
Agent / Disease Occupation
Colds, influenza, scarlet
fever, diphtheria, smallpox
May be contracted anywhere
Tuberculosis Silica workers, people
exposed to heat and organic
dusts, and medical personnel
Anthrax Animal handlers and
handlers of carcasses, skins,
hides, or hair of infected
animals, including wool
carpet processors and
handlers.

32. Selected Infectious Diseases andSelected Infectious Diseases and
OccupationsOccupations
Agent / Disease Occupation
Ringworm (in horses, cattle,
deer, pigs, cats, dogs, birds)
Pet shop salesmen, stockmen,
breeders of cats and dogs, and
other animal handlers
Tetanus Farmers (spores in soil) or
anyone in contact with manure.

33. Selected Infectious Diseases andSelected Infectious Diseases and
OccupationsOccupations
Agent / Disease Occupation
Psittacosis (in parrots,
parakeets, pigeons, ducks,
turkeys, chickens, etc.)
Pet shop personnel, gardeners,
housewives, veterinary
surgeons, and researchers.
Hookworm Miners, agricultural laborers,
planters of sugar, tobacco, tea,
rice and cotton, and brick and
tunnel workers.

34. Selected Infectious Diseases andSelected Infectious Diseases and
OccupationsOccupations
Agent / Disease Occupation
Rabies (e.g. dogs, bats, rats,
pigs, cats)
Veterinarians, letter carriers,
laboratory research workers,
agricultural workers.
Fungus Farmers, outdoor workers,
animal handlers

35. Body Fluids with High Viral LoadBody Fluids with High Viral Load
Blood
Semen
Vaginal and cervical mucus
Breastmilk
Amniotic fluid
Cerebrospinal fluid

36. ERGONOMIC HAZARDSERGONOMIC HAZARDS

37. ERGONOMICSERGONOMICS
the
tool
the
workstation
the task
(job content &
context)
the
organization
the
environment

38. Risk Factor: ERGONOMICSRisk Factor: ERGONOMICS
Static
posture

39. Forceful exertion
Risk Factor: ERGONOMICS

40. Risk Factor: ERGONOMICSRisk Factor: ERGONOMICS
Repetitive movement

41. Risk Factor: ERGONOMICSRisk Factor: ERGONOMICS
Extreme range of motion

42. Risk Factor: ERGONOMICSRisk Factor: ERGONOMICS
Awkward posture

43. STRESSSTRESS

44. STRESSSTRESS
Manifestations of Stress
PHYSIOLOGICAL
 Heart rate
 Blood pressure
 Indigestion
BEHAVIORAL
 Drug use
 Alcohol intake
 Heavy smoking
 Impulsive emotional
behavior
 Poor work & family
relationship
 Social isolation
 Family abandonment
PSYCHOLOGICAL
 Fatigue
 Anxiety
 Tension
 Irritability
 Depression
 Boredom
 Inability to
concentrate
 Low esteem

46. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR ATTENTION