Occupational safety and health is a right enshrined in the Constitution of India vis-à-vis Section 39(e & f), which calls upon the Government to direct its policies in such a way, “that the health and strength of workers, men and women, and the tender age of children are not abused and that citizens are not forced by economic necessity to enter hazardous vocations.

1. HEALTH & SAFETY AT WORKHEALTH & SAFETY AT WORK
Dr. A K SRIVASTAVADr. A K SRIVASTAVA
Former Director,
National Institute of Miners’ Health
JNARDDC Campus, Wadi,
Nagpur – 440 023

2. Right to HealthRight to Health
The Constitution of India has specific provisions for ensuring
OSH for workers in the form of Articles 24, 39 (e and f) and 42.
The statues relating to OSH are :
for safety at workplace (e.g.. Factories Act, 1948 and Mines Act.
1952)
statues for safety of substances (e.g.. Indian Explosives Act,
1884)
statues for safety of activities (e.g.. Radiation Protection Rules
under the atomic Energy Act)

3. Occupational HealthOccupational Health
The promotion and maintenance of the
highest degree of physical, mental and social
well-being of workers in all occupations –
total health of all at work.
Issues…….
How to Measure ?
How to Prevent?
How to control?

4. Burden of Occupational SicknessBurden of Occupational Sickness
100 million occupational injuries causing 0.1 million deaths in
the world.
It is estimated that in India 17 million occupational non-fatal
injuries (17% of the world) and 45,000 fatal injuries (45% of
the total deaths due to occupational injuries in world) occur
each year.
Out of 11 million cases of occupational diseases in the world,
1.9 million cases (17%) are contributed by India.
Out of 0.7 million deaths in the world, 0.12 (17%) is
contributed by India.
Source : http://www.ndc-nihfw.org/html/Programmes/NationalProgrammeForControlTreatment.htm

5. Cost of Occupational SicknessCost of Occupational Sickness
The adverse occupational factors have been estimated to
cost 2 –14% of the gross national products for various
countries.
In the year 1999, occupational diseases have caused a loss
of around Rs.70,000 crore.
The amount paid as compensation for death and disablement
resulting from work related injuries in India has increased
from mere Rs.8 million in 1961 to 186 million in 1997.
Source : http://www.ndc-nihfw.org/html/Programmes/NationalProgrammeForControlTreatment.htm

6. Occupational HazardOccupational Hazard
Source or situation with a potential for
harm in terms of injury or ill-health,
damage to property, damage to the
workplace environment, or a
combination of these.

7. Occupational Health HazardsOccupational Health Hazards
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Mechanical
Psychosocial

8. Physical HazardsPhysical Hazards
Temperature
Illumination
Noise
Vibration
Radiation
Atmospheric pressure

9. Chemical HazardsChemical Hazards
Metals - Lead, TEL, As, Hg, Cd, Ni , Co etc.
Aromatic Hydrocarbons - Benzene, Toluene, phenol etc.
Aliphatic Hydrocarbons - Methyl alcohol
Gases - * Simple asphyxiants : N2, CH4, CO2
* Chemical asphyxiates : CO, H2S, HCN
* Irritant gases : Ammonia, SO2, Cl2,
* Systemic poison : CS2
Others
( Routes of entry - Inhalation, Ingestion, skin absorption.)

10. Chemical Hazards Contd…Chemical Hazards Contd…
ThresholdThreshold
The Threshold Limit Value - Time Weighted Average (TLV-TWA) :
“Time-weighted average concentration for a normal 8-hour working
day and a 40-hour working week, to which nearly all workers may be
repeatedly exposed day after day, without adverse effect”
The Threshold Limit Value - Short Term Exposure Limit (TLV-
STEL) is defined as a 15-minute, time-weighted average which
should not be exceeded at any time During a working day, even if
the 8-hour time-weighted average is within the TLV``

11. Chemical Hazards Contd…Chemical Hazards Contd…
DustsDusts
Inorganic Dust
Coal Dust - Anthracosis
Silica - Silicosis
Asbestos - Asbestosis
Organic Dusts
Cane Fiber - Bagassosis
Cotton dust - Byssinosis
Grain Dust - Farmer’s Lungs

12. Biological HazardsBiological Hazards
Bacteria
Tetanus, Tuberculosis, Anthrax, Brucellosis, Gonorrhea
Virus
Hepatitis, AIDS, Bird flue
Protozoal & Parasitic
Malaria, Hydatid, Hookworms, tapeworms, etc.
Fungi
Tinea-infections, Coccidiomycosis, Psittacoses, ornithosis, etc.

13. Mechanical HazardsMechanical Hazards
Injuries
Falls, cuts, abrasions, concussions, contusions, etc.
Ergonomic Disorders
Musculo-skeletal disorders, Cumulative-trauma Disorders etc.
Ergonomics: - “Adjustment of Man & Machine”
Application of human biological sciences with engineering science to
achieve optimum mutual adjustment of man & his work, the benefit being
measured in terms of human efficiency and well being.

14. Psychosocial HazardsPsychosocial Hazards
Lack of job satisfaction, insecurity, poor interpersonal
relations, work pressure, ambiguity, etc.
Psychological & behavioral changes – hostility,
aggressiveness, anxiety, depression, alcoholism, drug
addiction, sickness absenteeism.
Psychosomatic disorders - Hypertension, headache,
body-ache, peptic ulcers, asthma, diabetes, heart
disorders, etc.

15. Occupational diseases cases in India (Estimates)Occupational diseases cases in India (Estimates)
Disease No. of Cases
Pneumoconiosis 76,500
COPD 4,45,700
Musculoskeletal Disorders 6,00,800
Cancers 30,600
Mental Disorders 55,800
Skin diseases 33,520
NIHL 2,78,800
Pesticide Poisoning 9,100
Other Poisoning 21,500
These estimates represent just the tip of the ice-berg and actual
number of cases may in fact be much greater.
Source : Global burden of diseases & injuries due to occupation factors – Discussion, paper,
Office of Global & Integrated Environmental health, WHO, NW 1996.

16. Occupational Diseases - IndiaOccupational Diseases - India
In India, prevalence of Silicosis was 6.2 – 34% in Mica Miners, 4.1% in
Manganese Miners, 30.4% in Lead and Zinc Miners, 9.3% in deep and
surface Coal Miners, 27.2% in Iron Foundry Workers.
Prevalence of Asbestosis was extended from 3% in Asbestos Mines to
21% in Mill Workers.
In Textile workers the Byssinosis was as common as 28-47%
Source : http://www.ndc-nihfw.org/html/Programmes/NationalProgrammeForControlTreatment.htm

17. Control MeasuresControl Measures
Engineering
Medical
Legislative

18. Medical Control MeasuresMedical Control Measures
Health intervention for ensuring
fitness to work and continuing
work with no / minimal risk to
health

19. Engineering ControlsEngineering Controls
Designing-building, Work station.
Good Housekeeping.
Ventilation
Mechanization
Substitution.
Enclosure
Isolation
Local Exhaust Ventilation.
Personal Protective Devices.
Continuous monitoring for remedial action

20. Safety & Health LegislationsSafety & Health Legislations
The Factories Act 1948, amended 1954, 1970, 1976 & 1987
The Mines Act, 1952
The Dock workers (safety, health and welfare) Act, 1986
The Plantation Labour Act, 1951
The Explosive Act, 1884
The Petroleum Act, 1934
The Insecticide Act, 1968
The Indian Boilers Act, 1923
The Indian Electricity Act, 1910
The Dangerous Machines (Regulation) Act, 1983
The Indian Atomic Energy Act, 1962
The Radiological Protection Rules, 1971
The Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals Rules,
1989

21. The Factories ActThe Factories Act
On health this law requires employers:
 To ensure cleanliness of the workplace;
 Make effective arrangement for treatment and disposal of waste and effluent;
 Make suitable and effective provisions for adequate ventilation;
 Maintain temperatures to secure reasonable comfort for workers;
 Remove any dust or fumes from the workplace which may be injurious to
workers;
 Prevent overcrowding by maintaining a specific cubic area for each workers;
 Provide sufficient and suitable lights;
 Make suitable arrangements to provide clean drinking water conveniently
situated for all workers and;
 Provide suitable latrines and urinals to specified standards.

22. The Factories ActThe Factories Act –– Contd.Contd.
The Factories Act requires employers to provide basic safety measures
including:
Securely guarding all parts of dangerous machinery;
Precautions for working on machinery;
Emergency devices for cutting off power;
Maintain hoists and lifts;
Lifting machines, chains, ropes, and other lifting tackle must be
maintained in good condition;
Test pressurized vessels regularly;
Ensure walking surfaces are of sound constructions;
Provide protective equipment;
Measures to remove gas and dust before entering confined places;
Measures to prevent fires.

23. The Factories ActThe Factories Act –– Contd.Contd.
The factory occupier must disclose information about:
 Dangers, health hazards and measures to protect workers from substances
or materials in manufacture, transportations, storage etc. to the workers,
the chief factory inspector, and local authority;
 Safety and Policy;
 Quantity and characteristics and disposal of substances and waste;
 Emergency plans to workers and the local public;
 Handling, using, transportation, storage and disposal of hazardous
substances to workers and the local public.
TheFactories Act also binds the employer to maintain up-to-date health records of workers,
and to appoint a person experienced in handling hazardous substances to supervise
handling, and provide protective measures and regular medical examinations.

24. Occupational groups needing care in futureOccupational groups needing care in future
Persons employed in non-formal sector & Cottage
industries.
Agricultural workers
Persons in Health Care Sector.
Persons employed in R&D labs.
Persons employed in Call Centers
Desk workers.
Sports Persons.

25. What the future holdsWhat the future holds
Occupational diseases are likely to reach epidemic proportions unless there is
a significant improvement in delivery of occupational health services.
Action required
Stricter implementation of existing legislations.
Political will and requisite emphasis on occupational health by
Government.
Industries should link occupational health with productivity rather than
legislation
Small scale and house hold industries should strive for cooperative
occupational health infrastructure.
Occupational health should form an essential component of primary health
care to provide services to agricultural workers and other high risk groups .

26. An early implementation of OccupationalAn early implementation of Occupational
Health Policy is the first step towardsHealth Policy is the first step towards
preventing occupational diseases.preventing occupational diseases.
I would like to know your views.I would like to know your views.