An occupational hazard is a hazard experienced in the workplace. Occupational hazards can encompass many types of hazards, including chemical hazards, biological hazards (biohazards), psychosocial hazards, and physical hazards. In the United States, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conduct workplace investigations and research addressing workplace health and safety hazards resulting in guidelines. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) establishes enforceable standards to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses.
2. Occupational health
refers to the potential risks to health and
safety for those who work outside the home
Hazard
something that can cause harm if not
controlled.
Occupational disease
Disease directly caused by a person’s
occupation.
Introduction
3. • Some 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.-
7. Light
The acute 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"
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8. Noise
(i) Auditory effects
Temporary or permanent hearing
loss
(ii) Non auditory effects
Nervousness,
Fatigue,
Interference with communication
by speech,
Decreased efficiency
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nnoyance 11
9. Vibration
• Exposure to vibration may also produce
injuries of the joints of the hands elbows and
shoulders.
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11. Ionizing radiation 11
The radiation hazards comprise
• Genetic changes
• Malformation
• Cancer
• Leukaemia
• Depilation
• Ulceration
• Sterility
• in extreme cases death.
12. Ionizing radiation
The International Commission of Radiological Protection
has set the maximum permissible level of occupational
exposure at 5 rem per year to the whole body.
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16. Chemical hazards 16
• 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,
IndefinitelyParticles smaller than 5 microns are directly
inhaled into the lungs and are retained there and is mainly
responsible for pneumoconiosis.
31. PNEUMOCONIOSIS:
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
The hazardous effects of dusts on the
lungs depend upon a number of factors
such as:
o Chemical composition
o Fineness
o Concentration of the dust in the air
o Period of exposure
o Health status of the person exposed.
33. SILICOSIS:
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
Pathologically, silicosis is
characterized by a dense
nodular‖ fibrosis, the
nodules ranging from 3 to
4mm in diameter.
Some of the early
manifestations are irritant
cough, dyspnoea on
exertion and pain in the
chest.
35. ANTHRACOSIS:
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
The second phase is
characterized by
progressive massive
fibrosis; this causes
severe respiratory
disability and
frequently results in
premature death.
36. BYSSINOSIS:
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
It is due to
inhalation of cotton
fibre dust over long
periods of time. The
symptoms are
chronic cough and
progressive
dyspnoea, ending in
chronic bronchitis
and emphysema.
42. ASBESTOSIS:
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
It causes pulmonary fibrosis leading to
respiratory insufficiency and death,
carcinoma of the bronchus and
gastrointestinal tract.
1.Serpentine (hydrated magnesium
silicate)
2.Amphibole type (contain magnesium).
43. FARMER’S LUNG
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
• It is due to the inhalation of
mouldy hay or grain dust
which contains
micropolyspora faeni.
• The disease is characterized
by respiratory symptoms and
finally leads to pulmonary
fibrosis and pulmonary
damage.
45. PREVENTIVE MEASURES:
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
• Dust control
• Biological monitoring(x-ray, lung function)
• Periodic examination of workers and continuing
research.
• Use of safer types of asbestos(chrysolite and amosite)
• Mask and googles
46. CANCER
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
The characteristics of occupational cancer are:
• They appear after prolonged exposure
• The period between exposure and
development of disease may be 10 to 25 years.
• The disease may develop even after cessation
of exposure.
• The localization of tumours is remarkably
constant in any one occupation.
47. SKIN CANCER:-
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
Skin cancer is a main
occupational hazard among
gas workers, oven workers,
tar distillers, oil refiners, dye-
stuff makers, road makers
and in industries associated
with the use of mineral oil, tar
and related compounds.
48. LUNG CANCER:-
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
It is an occupational
hazard in gas industry,
asbestos industry, nickel
and chromium work and
in mining of radio-active
substances. The main
carcinogens in these
areas are nickel,
chromates, asbestos, coal
tar, etc.
49. BLADDER CANCER:-
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
The industries associated
with bladder cancer are the
dye-stuffs and dyeing
industry, rubber, gas, and
the electric cable industries.
The major bladder
carcinogens are benzidine,
auramine, beta-
naphthylamines, etc.
50. LEUKAEMIA: -
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
Exposure to benzol, roentgen rays and
radio-active substances give rise to
leukaemia. Benzol is a dangerous
chemical and is used as a solvent in
many industries.
51. PREVENTION:
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
• Pre-selection - the workers should be medically
examined before employment.
• Protection – protecting clothing, long leather gloves,
aprons, boots, barrier creams.
• Personal hygiene – supply of warm water and
adequate washing facility, soap, towels.
• Periodic inspection – medical check-up and early
detection, transfer from risky area, proper education
of workers to identify skin irritation.
52. RADIATION HAZARDS:
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
Exposure to x- rays,
ultraviolet rays occurs in
hospitals and other electric
welding processes. Infrared
rays are produced in welding
and glass blowing. The main
effects of radiation are acute
burns, dermatitis
malignancies, genetic effects
etc.
54. LEAD POISONING:
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
• Lead is used in variety
of industries such as
manufacture of storage
batteries, glass
manufacture, ship
building, printing and
potteries, rubber
industry etc.
55. Lead poisoning
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
• Mode of absorption is of 3 ways
– inhalation, ingestion and
absorption through skin.
Normal adult ingest about 0.2
to 0.3 mg of lead per day from
food and beverages.
Confirmation of lead poisoning
shows a blood count more than
70 mue gm. /100 ml and urine
lead more than 5mg/lt
56. Lead poisoning
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
• The toxic effect of inorganic
lead exposure are abdominal
colic, constipation, loss of
appetite, blue-line on the
gums, anaemia, wrist drop
and foot drop.
• The toxic effects of organic
lead compounds are mostly
on the CNS- insomnia,
headache, mental confusion,
delirium, etc.
57. Preventive measures:
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
• Substitution of lead with less toxic
materials.
• Isolation of all processes which gives
rise to lead dust and fumes.
• Personal protection, personal
hygiene and good housekeeping
• Periodic examination of workers
and health education.
• Medical management- saline
stomach wash if ingested, d-
penicillamine.
66. OCCUPATION HEALTH NURSE:
Occupational Health
Nurses (OHN) are
registered nurses who
independently observe
and assess the
worker's health status
and to respect them
from job tasks and
hazards.
67. SCOPE OF OCCUPATION HEALTH NURSE:
Educationally prepared to
recognize adverse health effects
of occupational exposure and
address methods for hazard
abatement and control, OHNs
bring their nursing expertise to
all industries
68. THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH TEAM
1. Occupational health nurses
2. Occupational health physicians
3. Industrial hygienists
4. Safety engineers
5. Work organization specialists
6. Psychologists
7. Counsellors
8. Physiotherapists.
9. Ergonomists
10. Health economists
69. Role of the Occupational Health Nurse
in Workplace Health Management:
• Clinician
• Specialist
• Manager
• Co-ordinator
• Adviser
• Health educator
• Counsellor
• Researcher
71. JOURNAL
Occupational mental health: a study of work-related
depression among nurses in the Caribbean
Vishwanath V. Baba*, Bella L. Galperin, Terri R. Lituchy
This study addresses issues of occupational mental health among nurses
in the Caribbean. A linear model linking role, work and social factors,
stress, burnout, depression, absenteeism and turnover intention guides
the research. Data were collected from 119 nurses working for major
hospitals located in St. Vincent and Trinidad & Tobago using survey.
Psychometrically sound instruments with proven cross-cultural validity
were utilized in the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, correlations, and
path analysis were used to analyse the data. The results indicated fairly
strong support for the proposed model which is tested for the first time
among a Caribbean population. Role conflict, role overload and social
support predicted stress, which along with social support predicted
burnout. Burnout was the sole predictor of depression which in turn
predicted both absenteeism and turnover intention.