Common Types of Occupational Diseases and Their Hazards
Any illness associated with a specific occupation or industry is referred to as an occupational disease. Such diseases are caused by a variety of biological, chemical, physical, and psychological factors that exist in the workplace or are encountered in the course of employment. Occupational medicine is concerned with the impact of all types of work on health, as well as the impact of health on a worker's ability and efficiency.
Occupational diseases are largely preventable and can be traced back to poor working conditions. Controlling occupational health hazards reduces the occurrence of work-related diseases and accidents while also improving worker health and morale, resulting in lower absenteeism and increased worker efficiency. In most cases, the moral and financial benefits far outweigh the costs of removing occupational hazards.
Job Placement
Certain pre-existing medical conditions may put people at a disadvantage in certain jobs. In such cases, a pre-employment health questionnaire or medical examination can be extremely beneficial in determining job unsuitability before training time and expense have been incurred. Job suitability may also need to be monitored on a regular basis to ensure employee health and ability.
Airline pilots, for example, are subjected to regular medical examinations because a pilot with failing vision or a heart condition that can lead to a heart attack could endanger many lives. When a worker is found to be unfit for a specific job, the health service can provide valuable advice on alternative employment.
What is an Occupational Hazard?
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Let's define occupational hazard. Occupational hazards are the risks of illnesses or accidents occurring at work. In other words, hazards that employees face at their workplace. A workplace hazard is something unpleasant that a person encounters or suffers as a result of their job. According to some dictionaries, the term also includes hazards that people encounter while working on their hobbies.
Types of Occupational Hazards
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According to their nature, occupational health hazards are classified into five categories:
1) Physical risks associated with noise, ionising radiation, and temperature.
2) Chemical hazards from exposure to gases, vapours, fumes, and chemicals
3) Biological hazards, such as exposure to viruses, bacteria, blood, and blood products
4) Ergonomic risks are those associated with the need for incorrect posture, monotony, repetitiveness, work shifts, and stressful situations.
5) Accident risks, such as an unsuitable work environment, insufficient lighting, and potential electrical and fire accidents
Psychosocial Hazards
Psychosocial hazards are occupational hazards that have an impact on the psychological health of employees. These hazards have an impact on their ability to participate in a work environment with other coworkers.
The design, organisation, and management of the work all contribute to psychosocial hazards. They are also linked to the work's social and economic contexts. Patients experience psychological or psychiatric harm or illness. Some people are also injured or sick.
Workplace violence and stress, for example, are both psychosocial hazards.
Chemical Hazards
Chemical hazards are occupational hazards caused by chemical exposure in the workplace. Victims may suffer from short-term or long-term health consequences.
Hundreds of hazardous chemicals exist, including immune agents, dermatologic agents, carcinogens, neurotoxins, and reproductive toxins. Hazardous chemicals include asthmagens, sensitizers, and systemic toxins.
Prevention of Occupational Diseases
Public health distinguishes three levels of prevention, each with occupational parallels: Primary (1) prevention is the most effective because it focuses on preventing disease or injury at the source, before it occurs.
Secondary (2) prevention aims to raise awareness and detect symptoms early in order to reduce the impact (and spread) of a disease or injury via education, hazard communication, and screening programmes.
Tertiary (3) prevention focuses on minimising the harm and impact of an illness or injury by facilitating treatment, ensuring income security, organising housing, and assisting in the return to work, while increasing local and societal recognition (and eventually exposure control) through compensation documentation and associated costs.
Examples of Occupational Health Hazards
1. Mechanical Hazards
Falls, cuts, abrasions, concussions, and contusions are all examples of injuries.
Ergonomics is the science of adjusting man and machine.
Ergonomic tools – Tools that reduce the stresses or problems that cause CTDs / MSDs.
2. Psychosocial Hazards
Lack of job satisfaction, insecurity, poor interpersonal relations, work pressure, and ambiguity are all examples of psychosocial hazards.
Hostility, aggression, anxiety, depression, alcoholism, drug addiction, sickness absenteeism are all examples of psychological and behavioural changes.
Psychosomatic disorders such as hypertension, headaches, body aches, peptic ulcers, asthma, diabetes, and heart problems are examples of psychosomatic disorders.
3. Heat Illness
Excessive physical activity, extreme ageing, poor physical condition, fatigue, and excessive clothing Dehydration, Cardiovascular disease, Skin conditions, Obesity, and Phenothiazines, anticholinergics, diuretics, amphetamines, cocaine, MAOIs are all drugs.
What is a Hazard?
A hazard is defined as a situation that poses a potential threat or risk to life, health, property, or the environment. The vast majority of hazards are dormant or potential, posing only a theoretical risk of harm; however, when a hazard becomes "active," an emergency can arise. A hazard is a source of potential harm or negative outcome from previous, current, or future exposures.
The term hazardous refers to a condition, circumstance, or combination of factors that create a significant risk or danger of causing bodily harm or property damage. It is frequently used to describe hazardous substances and materials such as flammables, explosives, irritants, sensitizers, acids, and caustics, even when such materials are relatively harmless in diluted concentrations.
Occupational Health and Safety Problems
It is the responsibility of an occupational health service to keep all employees informed about workplace hazards. Employee health-protection measures should be thoroughly explained so that workers understand the importance of complying with such vexing or unpleasant restrictions as the wearing of protective clothing and face masks. First aid facilities should be organised, and employees should be trained in first aid procedures in the event of an accident or other emergency.
FAQs on Occupational Disease: What It Is, Types & How to Prevent It
1. What exactly is an occupational disease?
An occupational disease is a health condition or illness that is directly caused by exposure to risk factors in a person's work environment. Unlike an accident, these diseases usually develop over a long period of continuous exposure to harmful agents like chemicals, dust, or even repetitive motions.
2. What are some common examples of occupational diseases?
There are many types of occupational diseases, often specific to certain industries. Some well-known examples include:
- Silicosis and Asbestosis: Lung diseases caused by inhaling silica dust (in mining, construction) or asbestos fibres.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A nerve condition in the wrist caused by repetitive hand movements, common in office work or assembly lines.
- Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: Permanent hearing damage from working in environments with loud machinery.
- Dermatitis: Skin inflammation caused by contact with chemicals or other irritants at work.
3. How are occupational diseases generally classified?
Occupational diseases are typically classified based on the type of agent or hazard that causes them. The main categories are:
- Physical Agents: Caused by factors like excessive noise, extreme temperatures, and radiation.
- Chemical Agents: Resulting from exposure to harmful substances like solvents, heavy metals (e.g., lead, mercury), and pesticides.
- Biological Agents: Infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, common in healthcare or agricultural settings.
- Ergonomic Factors: Issues arising from poor workstation design, repetitive tasks, or improper lifting, leading to musculoskeletal disorders.
4. What is the difference between an 'occupational disease' and a 'work-related disease'?
This is a key distinction. An occupational disease has a direct and specific cause-and-effect link to a workplace hazard (for example, asbestosis is only caused by asbestos exposure). A work-related disease is a broader term for a multi-causal health issue where workplace factors might contribute or worsen the condition, but are not the sole cause (for example, work stress aggravating a heart condition).
5. How can exposure to a simple substance like dust cause a serious lung disease?
When fine particles like silica or asbestos dust are inhaled, they travel deep into the lungs. The body's immune cells, called macrophages, try to engulf and remove these foreign particles but cannot break them down. This triggers a chronic inflammatory response, leading to the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the lungs. Over time, this scarring makes the lungs stiff and reduces their ability to take in oxygen, causing severe breathing difficulties.
6. Can exposure at work lead to cancer?
Yes, absolutely. Certain substances found in workplaces are known carcinogens, meaning they can cause cancer. For example, prolonged exposure to asbestos is a primary cause of mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer. Similarly, exposure to benzene in certain industries is linked to leukaemia. These substances can damage a cell's DNA, leading to mutations that result in uncontrolled cell growth.
7. What are the most effective ways to prevent occupational diseases?
Prevention focuses on controlling exposure to hazards. Key strategies include eliminating the hazardous substance, substituting it with a safer alternative, using engineering controls like ventilation systems to remove contaminants from the air, enforcing the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like masks and gloves, and conducting regular health monitoring of employees.
