OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS & PULMONARY DISEASE

Dr. M. OmerMBBS, MPH

LecturerCHS

Occupational health is the promotion and maintenance

of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations

Hazard  something that can cause harm if

not controlled.Occupational disease

Disease directly caused by a person’s occupation.

Ergonomics - “Fitting the job to the worker”.

Integral part of occupational health services.

Greek word ‘Ergon’ means ‘Work’, ‘Nomos’ means ‘Law’ .

It is the ADAPTATION, MODIFICATION, MANIPULATION of MACHINERY, WORK ENVIRONMENT, WORK & REST SCHEDULE and JOB DEMANDS to suit the CAPACITY, LIMITATIONS & EXPECTATIONS of the workers.

Occupational EnvironmentSum of external conditions and

influences prevailing at the place of work which have a bearing on the health of the working population.

Three types of interactions in the work place:

Man and physical, chemical, & biological agents.

Man and machine. Man and man.-

1. Physical hazards2. Chemical 3. Biological4. Psychological and behavioral

changes.

OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS

OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS

1. Physical hazardsHeat – Direct & indirect effect of high temperature,

radiant heat, heat stagnation.Cold – General & local cold injuryLight – Acute & chronic effect of bright & dim light.Radiation

a. Ionizing - X-rays,gamma rays,beta particles, alpha particlesb. Non-ionizing - microwaves, infrared, and ultra-violet light

Noise – Auditory & non auditory effect.Vibration – hazardous in the frequency range of 10-

500Hz

I. Physical Hazards due to A)Heat ( Hyperthermia)

1) Heatstroke – death because of prolonged exposure to the sun or heat.

2) Heat Exhaustion-- Symptoms are headache, fatigue, muscle weakness, etc.

3) Heat syncope ( fainting) Falling unconscious because of too much exposure to high temperatures

Muscle spasm that result from lack of salt and water due to rigorous activities

4) Heat cramps

5) BurnsBurns can be caused by direct fire or electrocutionWho are at risk?Agricultural workersfield workers,nursery workersdairy workersfire fighters,carpenters, civil engineers, factory workers, street sweepers, athletes, bakers, cooks, soldiers, industrial engineers electricians, electrical engineers, traffic policemen, truck drivers, welders, car racers, motocross racers, oil refinery workers,

8) Preventive Measures (Heat)

a) Wear proper clothing, protective gadgets, use proper equipment

b) Have regular medical check-ups, make sure the workers are fit for the job.

c) Have careful and proper training. d) There should be a regular check-up of all

equipment, e) Constantly check the temperature in the work

place. F ) Proper time management.

B) Cold 1) Trench foot - is a medical condition caused by prolonged exposure of the feet to damp, unsanitary, and cold conditions.

2) Frostbiteis the medical condition where localized damage is caused to skin and other tissues due to freezing.

3) Chilbains are small, itchy, painful lumps that develop on the skin. caused by poor circulation in the skin when exposed to cold.

Who are at risk?Workers in places that have winter, fishermen, people working in the grocery the frozen food, road construction workers, market vendors(fish market, meat market) soldiers during the war, ice

5) Preventive Measures (Cold)a) Use proper clothing and

safety gear( ear cuffs, scarf, bonnets, hats, etc

-should not be too tight to allow ventillation

b) Temperature in the workplace must be closely monitored

c) Have regular medical check-ups

d) Employees should be properly trained

e) Make sure shoes, socks and boots are cleaned regularly

f) Always have hot beverage available

g) Boots should be waterproof

h) Avoid touching cold metals with bare skin

i) Bring a thermometerj) Use gas or electrical

heaters

C) Light 1) Occupational cataract Usually in people working with radiation and x-rays (radiologists)

2) Miner’s nystagmusAn occupational disease that occurs among coal miners, usually those of middle age or elderly. Its physical symptoms consist of difficulty of seeing in the dark or in poor light

D ) Pressure 1) decompression sickness. At risk are scuba diving, marine biologists, fishermen, marine photographers2) Explosions or blast overpressure or BOP:- Explosions due to negligence or unattended equipment that can are pressurized, incompetence, defective or destroyed

F) Noise: Occupational Deafness

a) Occupational Deafness is a kind of sensorineural hearing loss. It is caused by prolonged exposure to noise at work which results in the damage of the nerve cells of the inner ear. Who are at risk? Farmers, civil engineers, construction workers, factory workers, mining engineers, musicians and music teachers, airline workers, police, soldiers, pilots

G) Radiationa) Refers to ionizing radiation ( x-rays and Gamma rays) b) Exposure to high doses cause damage to living tissue, skin burns and deathc) Low exposure causes cancer and genetic damage

Who are at risk?Those working in manufacturing factories , researchers/scientists, nuclear power industry, nuclear engineers, physicians and some health workers.

H) Mechanical Factorsa) The mechanical hazards in industry centre round machinery, protruding and moving parts. Mostly accidents in industry are due to mechanical causes. 

b) Who are at risk? 1) agricultural workers

2) business establishments workers

3) construction workers 4) transport workers

I) VibrationContinuous work with such machines affects hands and arms.The blood vessels of fingers may become increasingly sensitive to spasmWho are at risk?Hammer drill operators, chain saw operators, Bulldozer drivers, loader drivers, people working with pumps, compressors and generators

BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS

VIRUSES FUNGI

BACTERIA PARASITES

InsectsBirdsAnimalsBlood-borne Pathogens

Diseases due to Biological AgentsHepatitis B VirusHepatitis C VirusTuberculosis – particularly among Healthcare WorkersBlood-borne Diseases – HIV/AIDSAnthraxTetanus

2. Chemical hazards Acids Bases Heavy Metals – Lead Solvents – Petroleum Particulates – Asbestos, Silica and other

fine dust/fibrous materials Fumes – noxious gases/vapors Highly- reactive Metals

Gases – gas poisoning. Inorganic dusts:

Coal dust - Anthracosis Silica - Silicosis.

Silicosis, the oldest known occupational lung disease, develops in people who have inhaled silica dust for many years. (fibrosing pneumoconiosis)

Asbestos - Asbestosis.Workers who demolish buildings that have insulation containing asbestos are at increased risk (Bronchogenic carcinoma)

Iron - Siderosis

Diseases due to chemical agents

Organic dusts : Cane fiber - Bagassosis. Cotton dust – Byssinosis.

It produces obstructive impairment of lung function (asthma)

grain dust – Farmer’s lung.

Chemicals – Burns, dermatitis, cancer, respiratory illnessMetals – lead, mercury, arsenic, chromium cause poisoning

Definition of Pneumoconiosis

Occupational Lung disease

secondary to inhalation of inorganic dust

leading to change in the lung architecture

excluding chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and cancer

Occupational Asthma

Symptoms usually begin several weeks after exposure begins.

Early in the syndrome, the patient may just notice a dry cough.

Patient may not be continuously exposed to provoking antigen.

A portable peak-flow meter and a diary is very helpful in determining if a work-place antigen is responsible

Prevention of Occupational asthma

Transition to safer Chemicals. Animal Allergens in the work place

should be removed. Control of Dust from Powder Dye

Handling operations. Allergic diseases should be controlled.

4. Psychosocial hazards

Work-related stress – excessive working time and overwork

Violence –  from outside the organization

Bullying – emotional and verbal abuse

Sexual Harassment

Exposure to unhealthy elements – tobacco, uncontrolled alcohol

Disorders due to Psychological Agents

Psychological Hazards resulting from stress & strain:

Depression DiscouragementAnxietyMemory lossDissatisfactionFrustrationIrritabilityDiscouragement

Definition: 4Ps.Aims at the PROMOTION AND

MAINTENANCE of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well being of workers in all occupation;

the PREVENTION of ill-health among workers caused by their working conditions;

the PROTECTION of workers in their employment from risk resulting from factors that adversely affect health;

the PLACING AND MAINTENANCE of the worker in an occupational environment adapted to his physiological and psychological ability.

PREVENTION OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES.MEASURES FOR HEALTH PROTECTION OF WORKERS.

1. Nutrition.2. Communicable disease control.3. Environmental sanitation.

Water supply Food Toilet Proper garbage & waste disposal. General plant cleanliness. Sufficient space. Lighting. Ventilation. Protection against hazards.

4. Mental health: GOALS:

To promote health and happiness of workers. To detect signs of stress and strain and take necessary

measures. Treatment of employees suffering from mental illnesses. Rehabilitation of those who become ill.5. Measures for women and children.6. Family planning services7. Health education.

PREVENTION OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES.MEASURES FOR HEALTH PROTECTION OF WORKERS.