Introduction to Occupational Health Hazards

Farhana Zahir

• Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9789811406911
• Topic: Medicine
• Subtopic: Public Health, Administration & Care

The definition of occupational health hazards is constantly changing over time as technology advances and as the awareness of work place safety issues continues to grow. Introduction to Occupational Health Hazards focuses on work-related hazards which have evolved with the advent of more recent professions. The book introduces readers to the basic concept of occupational hazards. From this starting point, readers are introduced to the types of medical disorders that can occur as a result of occupational hazards, such as cancer and neurological disorders. The next section explains health hazards to medical and laboratory staff. The book concludes with a chapter that explains mental health issues (stress and psychosocial factors) that are related to occupational health – which is a recent addition to the spectrum of health risks in the working environment. As a handbook, the book provides information about occupational health risks for science and medical students along with professionals working in the health care and laboratory industries, respectively.

New Frontiers in Occupational Disease

Farhana Zahir^*

Prism Educational Society, Aligarh, U.P., India

Abstract

If a disease demonstrates frequency in a group of people of a particular occupation more than the one that takes place in general public and has a demonstrable record between a particular illness and specific work/work-related environment, it is classified as an occupational disease. The development of a new class of occupational disorders is by-product of the recent uncontrolled man-man, man-machine and man-agents’ interaction. A small percentage of workers amongst the total working population of the world have access to occupational health related services, the access gets diminished if the worker is a child labour from a developing country. Moreover, the constant evolution of newer work areas and substances has led to continuous revision of list of causative agents and occupational health hazards by various agencies. “Diving medicine” is one such emerging branch of medicine dealing with specific health aspects of deep sea divers. The study of cause-effect relationship of occupational diseases will contribute towards reducing cases of work related disorders. Biological agents become causative agents through generation of bio aerosols or as routine infectious agents affecting biomedical scientists, laboratory technicians, medical and paramedical staff. The duration of exposure and varying doses (low-high) of hazardous chemical complexes are a source of a range of disorders from long term effects like neuro- behavioural dysfunction to immediate effects like burns. Some substances sensitise both airways and skin leading to respiratory and skin disorders. Similarly, the intensity and duration of exposure to the physical agents lead to an array of disorders ranging from white finger vibration, trench foot, barotrauma upto cancer. Besides exposure to biological, chemical, physical, ergonomic disease causing agents a worker is also prone to altered psychosocial agents at workplace. Violence and accidents occur at workplace. Discrimination (gender/ethnic/ migrant status), disturbed circadian rhythm, work pressure, lack of job satisfaction and social life leading to depression and anxiety have become a new normal in working class.

Keywords: Bacteria, Bradford Hill’s Criteria, Compressed or decompressed air, Universal diagnostic criteria, Ergonomic agent, Extremes of temperature, Fungi, International Labour Organization, Needle-stick injury, Noise, Occupational diseases, Organic Dust, Parasites, Protein, Psychosocial agent, Radiation, Respiratory disorders, Skin disorders, Sa substances (Substances causing, airway sensitisation), Vibration, Virus, WHO, work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs), Virus.

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^* Corresponding author Farhana Zahir: Prism Educational Society, Aligarh, U.P., India; Tel: [phone]; Email: [email protected]

INTRODUCTION

The first incidence of work-related disorder was identified in 1775 in ‘Chimney sweep boys’. Half of the worlds’ population is worker. Occupational disorders have become widespread as a by-product of industrialization and globalization. As per the statistics given by International Labour Organization (ILO) in a single year (2000), 2 million people died, around 271 million people were injured and about 160 million people became ill as a result of occupation-related health hazards. The risk of occupational diseases increases many folds in case of accidents like Bhopal methyl isocyanide leakage or the recent japanese tsunami which led to thermal reactors’ meltdown.

In early days, only industry workers or mine workers especially those working in coal mines were considered to be exposed to health hazards owing to their occupation. But now-a- days, modern concept of health has widened the scope of Occupational disorders by including all types of service trades, agriculture, health care sector and ergonomics. Newer occupations like those of biomedical scientists (e.g., conducting research on deadly Ebola/Marburg virus/Zika Virus) or medical laboratory technicians (e.g., performing diagnostic test of TB) create previously unrecognized occupational disorders. Unconventional health risks which come under occupational hazard are extreme climatic conditions (e.g., armed forces working on high altitude/scientists working in Antarctica), long hours use of computer, Vibrations (e.g., Transport vehicle) etc. Work-related stress due to lack of sleep, mental trauma etc. and violence as faced by medical staff are all other recognized occupational hazards. The magnitude of increment in cases of work-related diseases pressurises International Labour Organization to add new substances/sources to their list after every few years. Any disease contracted as a result of exposure to risk factors arising from work activity is termed Occupational Disease according to Occupational Safety and Health Convention, protocol 2002. For any disease to qualify as occupational disease it must demonstrate disease frequency more than general public and have a demonstrable record between a particular illness and specific work/work-related environment.

In accordance with World Health Organization reports, only 15% global workforce has access to Occupational health-related services. This becomes more complicated when 70% of world’s working population live in developing countries. Further, the fact that people most vulnerable to work-related disorders come from the weakest sections of the society makes the issue more complicated. As per the statics issued by International Labour Organization, children between the age group 5-17 comprise 352 million work force, of which 170 million work in perilous settings despite serious intervention of 130 countries making stringent child labour laws. The physical, moral and mental fabric of child workers undergoes irreversible loss when they work in dangerous situations without proper access to basic health amenities. Many child workers acquire illness which last a lifetime.

Occupational diseases are avoidable, if proper care is taken. Therefore, it becomes imperative to study cause-effect relationship; though, complexities of human behaviour also play a role, for instance, willingness of a worker to adapt to strict hygiene/wear a helmet or take other safety precautions. The manner in which human body interacts within a certain work environment determines its stress level. But the previous work history of the person is also a determining factor while studying his susceptibility towards disease. Body-burden of slow metabolizing substances (like chromium or lead or benzene), physical distortion (like Carpel Tunnel syndrome) acquired at an earlier work will certainly influence his chances of acquiring a malady. Gene pool, age, gender, health, race, lifestyle are other aspects which will undoubtedly manipulate one’s likelihood of acquiring a disease. The source of information for such analysis primarily comes from epidemiological and scientific studies. Industrial accidents like Chernobyl also contribute vast amount of data.

There are three kinds of Interactions (Fig. 1) a person is supposed to experience during his/her workings years. They are man-man (biological interaction), man-machine (physical interaction), man-work agents (chemical interaction).

Fig. (1))
The web of interactions.

Man-Man Interactions (Biological Interaction)

The interaction between workers and management or amongst the workers must remain smooth under ideal conditions. Man-man interactions, whenever get adverse at work place, may lead to anxiety and depr...

Table of contents

• Welcome
• Table of Contents
• Title
• BENTHAM SCIENCE PUBLISHERS LTD.
• PREFACE
• FOREWORD
• List of Contributors
• New Frontiers in Occupational Disease
• Occupational Hazards as Neurological Disorders
• Cancer as an Occupational Hazard
• Occupational Health Hazards to Medical and Paramedical Staff
• Biosafety Issues for Scientists and Laboratory Workers
• Stress and Compromised Mental Health as The New Age Occupational Hazard