Injury prevention is an effort to prevent or reduce the severity of bodily injuries caused by external mechanisms, such as accidents, before they occur. ... Researchers use the term "unintentional injury" to refer to injuries that are non volitional but preventable.

1. O C C U PAT I O N A L H E A LT H I S E S S E N T I A L LY
P R E V E N T I V E M E D I C I N E
PREVENTION OF
INJURIES

2. INTRODUCTION
• Prevention is better than cure.
• Occupational health is essentially preventive medicine.
• Industrial therapy is a term chosen to refer to the full range of
worker oriented endeavors designed to keep them healthy and
productive, and if injured to restore them to maximum job
functions as quickly and as cost effectively as possible.

3. • WHO committee on occupational health 1950 gave the
following definition:
“Occupational health should aim at the promotion and
maintenance of the highest degree of physical , mental and social
well being of workers in all occupations ; the prevention among
workers of departures from health caused by their working
conditions ; the protection of workers in their employment from
risks resulting from factors adverse to health ; the placing and
maintenance of the workers in an occupational environment
adapted to his psychological equipment and to summarize the
adaptation of work to man and each man to his job.

4. HEALTH OF WORKERS
• Industrial workers constitute only a segment of the general
population and the factors that influence the health of the
population also applies equally to industrial workers i.e.
housing , water , sewage etc.
• In addition to these factors , the health of industrial worker in a
large measure will also be influenced by conditions prevailing
in their workplace.

5. OCCUPATIONAL ENVIORNMENT
• It means the sum of external conditions and influences which
prevail at place of work and which have a bearing on the
health of the working population.
• 3 types of interactions in working environment:
1.Man and physical , chemical and biological agents.
2.Man and machine.
3.Man and man.

6. A}MAN AND PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL
AND BIOLOGICAL AGENTS
THE PHYSICAL
FACTORS IN
WORKING
ENVIORNMENT
WHICH MAY HAVE
ADVERSE HEALTH
EFFECTS ARE
HEAT, COLD,
HUMIDITY,
RADIATION, NOISE,
LIGHT AND
VIBRATION.
THESE COMPRISES
A LARGE NUMBER
OF CHEMICALS ,
TOXIC DUSTS AND
GASES WHICH ARE
POTENTIAL
HAZARDS TO THE
HEALTH OF
WORKERS.
THE WORKERS MAY
BE EXPOSED TO
VIRAL, BACTERIAL
AND PARASITIC
AGENTS WHICH MAY
RESULT FROM CLOSE
CONTACT WITH
ANIMALS OR THEIR
PRODUCTS,
CONTAMINATED
WATER , SOIL OR
FOOD.
PHYSICAL
AGENTS
CHEMICAL
AGENTS
BIOLOGICAL
AGENTS

7. B}MAN AND MACHINE:
• The unguarded machines, protruding and moving parts , poor
installation of plant , lack of safety measures are the causes of
accidents which is a major problem in industries.
C}MAN AND MAN:
• These are the human relationships amongst the worker
themselves on one hand and those in authority over them on
other .e.g .job satisfaction , security , incentives etc.

8. OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS
1.HEAT
AND COLD
2.LIGHT
3.NOISE
4.VIBRATIO
N
5.UV
RADIATION
: ARC
WELDING
6.IONIZING
RADIATION
1.LOCAL
ACTION:
DERMATITIS
2.IHANLATION:
A.DRUGS
B.DUST
C.METALS AND
THEIR
COMPOUNDS
3.INGESTION:
CHEMICAL
SUBSTANCES
SUCH AS LEAD
, MERCURY ,
PHOSPHORUS
ETC.
WORKERS MAY
BE EXPOSED
TO INFECTIVE
PARASITIC
AGENTS AT
WORKPLACE.
OCCUPATIONA
L DISEASE IN
THIS
CATEGORY
ARE FUNGAL
INFECTIONS ,
ANTHRAX ,
TETANUS.
OCCURS IN
WORKERS
WORKING IN
ANIMAL
PRODUCTS
AND
AGRICULTURAL
INDUSTRIES
CENTERED
AROUND
MACHINARY
AND
PROTRUDING
AND MOVING
PARTS
10% OF
ACCIDENTS
OCCUR DUE TO
THIS.
ARISE FROM
WORKERS
FAILURE TO
ADAPT TO AN
ALIEN
PSYCHOSOCIA
L
ENVIORNMENT
FRUSTRATION ,
LACK OF JOB
SATISFACTION
, INSECURITY ,
POOR HUMAN
RELATIONSHIP
AND
EMOTIONAL
TENSION ARE
SOME
PSYCHOSOCIA
L FACTORS
WHICH MAY
EFFECT BOTH
PHYSICAL AND
MENTAL
PHYSICA
L
CHEMICA
L HAZARD
BIOLOGIC
AL
MECHANIC
AL
PSYCHO
SOCIAL

9. PHYSICAL HAZARDS
1. LIGHT:2 types;
• Poor illumination : cause eye strain, headache and eye pain.
• Excessive brightness : causes blurring of vision , visual
fatigue , discomfort.
• So there should be sufficient lighting wherever the person is
working.
2.NOISE: 2 effects
• Auditory effect: temporary or permanent hearing loss
• Non auditory : nervousness , fatigue and annoyance.

10. 3.Ionizing radiation: increasing application in medicine and
industries .e.g. X rays.
• Radiation hazards comprise of genetic changes, malformation
and cancer.
PSYCHOSOCIAL HAZARDS: Health effect can be classified
as 2:
• Psychosocial and behavioral changes: drug abuse , sickness,
aggressiveness , anxiety.
• Psychosomatic ill health: fatigue , headache , neck and back
pain , hypertension.

11. OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE
• Defined as disease arising out of or in the course of
employment.
1. Disease due to physical agents:
• Light-miners nystagmus and occupational cataract.
• Pressure-air embolism , blast.
• Noise-occupational deafness.
• Electricity-burns

12. HEAT
• It is a common physical hazard in most industries
• Direct effect of heat exposure are burns , heat exhaustion , heat
stroke and heat cramp.
• Indirect effect are decrease efficiency , increase fatigue and
enhanced road accident rates.
• Direct effects are:
1. Skin disorders-skin rash due to sweat retention. Prevented by light
, clean non-occlusive clothing. Avoid prolonged sweating
2. Heat edema: due to vasodilatation mild swelling. Prevented by
elevation and pumping exercises .
3. Heat syncope: unacclimatized individual heat stress
vasodilatation hypotension. Treatment-rest & fluids

13. Prevention-avoid long standing , move legs repeatedly
4.Heat cramps-occurs after intense exertion at end of work or
during rest. Treatment-salt intake & IV if needed.
5.Heat exhaustion-weakness , fatigue , nausea , vomiting ,
headache , muscle cramps , anxiety , impaired judgment.
Treatment-IV fluids , plenty of water &salts , rest in cool
temperatures.
6.Heat stroke-true medical emergency.CNS dysfunction.
Treatment-Hospitalization , evaporative cooling , medication
and rest.
• Acclimatization: repeated exposure increases tolerance
to work

14. COLD INJURIES
• Result of cutaneous vasoconstriction.
1. Chilblains-reddish blue swollen patches that itches. Treatment-
warm water immersion and analgesic
2. Immersion foot-develop due to prolong exposure to cold or wet
condition. Treatment-elevation , re warming , supportive care.
3. Frostbite-tissue freezes after temp below 20F. Treatment re
warming , protection from pressure and infection and analgesics.
4. Hypothermia : leads to severe tissue damage
• Occupation : miltary persons , person working in cold storage.

15. PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN
• Wear gloves
• Warm clothing
• Gum boots
• High calorie diet
• Frequent breaks in hot environment
• Regular inspection of part
• On job exercises.

16. VIBRATION
• 2 types of vibration injuries occur:
1. Whole body vibration
2. Hand arm vibration
• 10-500Hz is the range
• Has negative effect on both nerves and blood vessels and
considered a contributor to white finger a disorder resulting
in ineffective distribution of blood flow to the fingers due to
vascular spasms.
• Occupations : drillers , drivers , foundry workers etc.

17. PREVENTION
• Whole body vibration: drivers
1. Shock absorbing material such as shoes.
2. Seat modifications
3. Back support
4. Avoid twisting and forward bending movements
5. Proper vehicle maintenance.
6. Avoid jerks
7. Frequent breaks
8. Job rotation
9. Stretching exercises

18. • Hand arm vibration : drillers
1. Ergonomically designed tools
2. Non slip handles
3. High power: weight ratio
4. Leather gloves
5. Maintain temperature
6. Regular maintenance of tools
7. Protective clothing
8. Job rotation
9. Rest period.

19. DISEASE DUE TO CHEMICAL AGENTS
• Coal dust-Antrocosis
• Silica- silicosis
• Asbestos-asbestosis
• Cane fiber - bagassosis
• Tobacco- tobacossis
• Hay/grain dust-farmer’s lung

20. MAIN INJURIES IN INDUSTRIAL
WORKERS
1. Back injuries
2. Upper extremity injuries
• Precaution should be taken to reduce injury because it will:
1. Help in productivity.
2. Health care cost will ne reduced.
3. Economic condition will be increased.
4. Mental state improves.
5. Employee-employer relationship improves
6. Turnover of job decreases so time wastage decreases.

21. CUMULATIVE TRAUMA DISORDERS
• Term applied to a wide assortment of ailments that effect the
upper body.
• An Italian physician Bernardino Ramazini stated two hazards
which affect health adversely:
1. Character of material handled.
2. Certain violent and irregular motions and unnatural postures
of body.
• Most common affected parts.
• Structures affected

22. PATHOPHSIOLOGY OF CTD
Repeated
force on
soft tissue
for
prolonged
period of
time
micro
trauma
Inflamm
ation
Edema
Reduces
further
blood
flow to
the
muscle
Delayed
healing
Chronic
inflamma
tion

23. RISK FACTORS
• Occupational:
1. Posture/position
2. Force
3. Repetitions
4. Vibration
5. Temperature extremes
6. Direct pressure
• Personal:
1. Poor physical conditioning
2. Gender
3. Physical stature
4. Previous injuries
5. Certain diseases
6. Stress/attitude

24. TYPES OF CTD’S
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tendonitis
• Bursitis
• Reynaud's syndrome
• Cubbital tunnel
• Tenosynovitis
• Trigger finger
• Dequerian’s

25. SYMPTOMS
• Soreness
• Pain
• Discomfort
• Limited ROM
• Numbness
• Tingling sensation
• Swelling
• Weakness
• Burning sensation
• Clumsiness

26. COST OF CTD’S
• Worker’s compensation
• Turnover increases
• Absenteeism
• Discomfort at work
• Product defects
• Production barriers

27. CTD’S AVOIDED BY
Injury
prevention
management
Fitness for
work
ergonomics
Education
and training

28. A. MANAGEMENT
• Organizational
1. Gain support from all level of management
2. Establish manager accountability for implementations and
effectiveness of policies and procedures.
3. Change managers attitude by making them accountable for
injuries.
4. Establish and communicate work procedures and rules.
5. Job analysis and rotation.
6. Enforcing safety precautions.

29. • Medical :
1. Encourage early aggressive treatment of reported injuries.
2. Find competent physician and therapist
3. Encourage employers to see designated medical providers.
4. Provide modified duty and on job work hardening.
5. Make sure medical providers consider ergonomic factor in
treatment plan.
• Claims:
1. Emphasize regular and effective communication with injured
employer and the medical provider.
2. Establish specific written claims , management policies and adhere
to them.

30. 3.Know and internalize medical management principles to make
sure they are being followed correctly.
• Two important factory laws in India today are:
1. Factories Act,1948.
2. Employee’s State Insurance Act,1948.

31. B.FITNESS FOR WORK
• Exercise program:
1. Improve cardiovascular conditioning
2. Improve flexibility
3. Improve strength
4. Promote relaxation
Control fatigue through positional reversal and stimulation of
circulation.
• On job exercise:
1. Warming up
2. Stretching exercises-before and during work

32. C. EDUCATION AND TRAINING
• Job rotations
• Work rest schedules
• Work load reductions
• Training-to encourage early reporting of symptoms.

33. D.ERGONOMICS
• Ergonomics is the field of study that seeks to design tools and
tasks to be compatible with human capabilities and limitations.
• Principles of ergonomics:
1. Physical principles
2. Cognitive principles

34. PHYSICAL PRINCIPLES
1. Keep everything in easy reach
2. Work at proper height
3. Work in good posture
4. Reduce excessive force
5. Minimize fatigue
6. Reduce excessive repetitions
7. Provide clearance and access
8. Minimize contact stress
9. Provide mobility and change of posture
10. Maintain a comfortable environment

35. COGNITIVE PRINCIPLES
1. Standardize : standard codes; on and off buttons
2. Use stereotypes : human mind tendency ; push button forward
machine starts.
3. Link action with perceptions : control P- print
4. Simplify presentation of information: use icons , signs
5. Present information at appropriate level of detail : avoid
unnecessary information
6. Present clear image : image clear and near the product.
7. Use redundancies : double information ; siren +light
8. Use patterns: machine working knob up light on
9. Provide variable stimuli: change stimuli
10. Provide instantaneous feedback: defect reported