Occupational Health

Definition
• It deals with the promotion of health and prevention and
control of work-related injuries and diseases to individuals at
their work.
• It also aims at promoting physical, mental, and social well-
being of the workers so as to enhance their social and
professional work capacity (WHO, 2001).
• Occupational health is an area of work in public health to
promote and maintain highest degree of physical, mental and
social well-being of workers in all occupations.
Occupational Health Team

• Consultant specialized in occupational medicine

• Occupational or industrial nurse
• Industrial hygienist
• Environmental and safety engineer
• Ergonomist
• Physiotherapist
• Counselor
Occupational Disease
• An "occupational disease" is any disease contracted primarily
as a result of an exposure to risk factors arising from work
activity or the work environment.
• Occupational diseases are related to the dose and frequency
of exposure to the particular causative factor.
• For example, inhalation of hazardous mineral particles leads
to a serious effect when combined with cigarette smoking as
the filtration functions of mucociliary apparatus are negated
in smokers. So compared with nonsmokers, smokers are
more prone to occupational lung mesothelioma (WHO, 2001)
Occupational Health Hazards

• Physical factors: Heat, light, noise, and radiation

• Chemical factors: Industrial dusts, heavy metals such as
lead, zinc, iron, benzene, toluene, gases, acids, alkali, and
pesticides
• Biological factors: Inhalation of live organisms or spores
• Behavioral factors: Ergonomics-related factors
Physical Agents Causing Occupational Disease
Extremes of Heat and Cold
• Extreme heat causes vasodilation and later leads to
heat stroke and unconsciousness. Traffic policemen
patrolling under the hot sun and workers working in
high-temperature furnaces become victims of heat
stroke.
• workers in glass factories and steel rolling mills are
exposed to extremes of heat.
• Extreme coldness can cause frostbite or death due to vital
organ dysfunction.

Noise and Vibration

• Normal 30-60 dB
• Continuous exposure to loud noise can result in hearing loss.
• Our ears cannot withstand sound waves of more than 185 dB intensity.
• Vibrations associated with jerky movements such as
those while drilling and mining can lead and wrist
functioning and pain.

• Radiation
• UV radiation, infrared radiation, and ionizing radiation
can cause ill effects.
• Exposure to infrared radiation occurs in men and
women working near furnaces in steel mills and glass
factories.
• Ionizing radiation arises from atomic power plants. X-
rays and radiation therapy units used in medical field
also emit ionizing radiation.
• The small amount of chronic Light exposure can lead
to infertility, skin changes, alopecia, etc.
 Light
• The process of welding can cause damage to the
cornea of the eye, leading to welder's arc.
• Prolonged exposure for more than 3 hours can cause
damage to the cornea.
• Mild to severe pain in the eyes, excessive tearing,
redness, and blurring of vision can result from the
burns in the cornea.
Ergonomics

• Poor ergonomics can lead to injury.

• Lifting excessive weight can lead to injury.
• Eye strain can occur in some occupations.
 Primary Prevention of Physical Hazards
Noise Control

• Engineering and design changes can be done for noise

reduction.
• Shielding can be done around noisy equipment.
• High levels of vibration as seen in assembly line
movement can cause vibration.
• Machines should be kept in a good working condition.
• Shielding can be done around noisy equipment.
• High levels of vibration as seen in assembly line movement
can cause vibration.
• Machines should be kept in a good working condition.
• Silencers should be installed wherever possible.
• Walls should be soundproof to contain high-intensity noise.
• Exposure to noise should be limited.
Extremes of Heat Control Measures
• To prevent extremes of heat, appropriate clothing can be worn
• Air conditioning should be installed in the workplace and ventilation
should be increased.
• There should be adequate hydration of the workers.
• Shelters and places to rest in between the long working hours should
be provided in extremes of temperature
Radiation/Light Hazard Prevention
• Minimize the number of workers in areas with known
risk of radiation.
• The distance between the source and workers should
be increased.
• Length and quantum of exposure to radiation should
be reduced.
Secondary Prevention Early
• Early detection of hearing loss and corrective measures
• Identification of heat-induced electrolyte loss and
supplementation of electrolytes and water
• Rewarming quickly by infusion of warmed fluids and
circulating warm air devices or blankets in case of cold
exposure or hypothermia
Chemical Hazards Causing
Occupational Diseases
• Gaseous agents and vapors: Gases such as methane and nitrogen
released from mines and sewages can replace oxygen and cause
asphyxiation. ( 02 Co2)
• Carbon monoxide released in coal industry, steel furnaces. and vehicle
exhaust fumes can bind with hemoglobin 200 times more rapidly than
oxygen.
• Solvents used in various industries can be inhaled and
can cause bronchial irritation.
• Metals such as lead, mercury, manganese, and
cadmium used in industries produce various undesirable
effects.
Primary Prevention of Chemical Hazards
• Good housekeeping practices to reduce dust and fibers
• Adequate ventilation and fitting of exhaust fans Substitution
of harmful chemicals with harmless chemicals
• Automation and mechanization of dusty processes.
• Segregation and enclosing the dusty operations
• Provision of appropriate personal protective equipment such
as mask
Biological Hazards
• Vegetables and plant products: Cotton fibers, sugarcane
fibers, and flour coming out in the flour mill reach the lung
and lead to occupational lung diseases.
• Spore Pollen and tea dust allergy can cause bronchial
asthma,, Animal handlers and veterinarians are at a diseases
such as anthrax a risk of contracting
• Healthcare professionals are at a risk of contracting various
infections such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C
Primary Prevention
• Machines and dusty areas can be cleaned with cotton or other
similar fibers can be cleaned using vacuum cleaners.ad Avoid dry
dusting.
• Humidity of the spinning and clothing rooms can be increased.
• Prevent exposures to potential organisms such as anthrax.
• Avoid the dusty areas or pollen or other plant materials.
• Wear N95 masks.
• Wear other personal protective equipment.
Categories of Common Occupational
Health Diseases
• Occupational diseases can be grouped as follows based on the nature
of health problems and the organs involved:
• Occupational lung diseases
• Occupational dermatomes
• Occupational cancers
• Work-related musculoskeletal disease
• Occupational injuries and accidents
Nurses' Role in Occupational Health Program

Conducts periodical health checkup and organizes screening program

for the workers
Assesses the vital environmental parameters to identify any threat to
health
Initiates primary prevention by modifying the work environment or
changing the workplace
• Identifies emergencies and provides first aid
• Delivers curative and rehabilitative services in collaboration with the
other health team members
• Identifies the risks in the industry and provides advice and information
to reduce risk
• Maintains environmental health, thereby playing a role in safeguarding
the general well-being of the people living in the communities adjacent
to industries
• Advises small- and medium-scale entrepreneurs on methods to contain
or reduce risk
• Provides counseling and guidance to workers on complex health issue
National Programme for Control and Treatment of
Occupational Diseases

• Prevention, control, and treatment of silicosis and silica tuberculosis in

industry
• Occupational health problems of tobacco workers and their prevention
• Identification of hazardous processes and chemicals, database
generation, documentation, and information dissemination of the same
• Capacity building to promote research, education, and training at the
National Institute of Occupational Health
• Health risk assessment and development of intervention program in
cottage industries with a high risk of silicosis