OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Erestain, EmmanuelFacton, Rosabelle T.Fang, Mark David G.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTHA multidisciplinary activity aiming at:•protection and promotion of the health of workers by preventing and controlling occupational diseases and accidents by eliminating occupational factors and conditions hazardous to health and safety at work

•enhancement of physical, mental and social well-being of workers and support for the development and maintenance of their working capacity

WHO Health for All principles and ILO Conventions on Occupational Safety and Health (No. 155) and on Occupational Health Services (No. 161)

◦Every worker has the right of access to occupational health and safety services, irrespective of the sector of the economy, size of the company, or type of assignment and occupation.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Scope of Occupational HealthRecognition of environmental

factors or stresses associated with work and their effects on man and his well being

Evaluate the magnitude of these stresses in terms of ability to impair well-being

Prescription of methods to control or reduce such stresses

Importance of Occupational Health1. Millions are injured and hundreds of

thousands death every year in occupational accidents.

2. The formal workforce constitutes on average 50-60% of a country’s total population.

3. The level of occupational health and safety, the socioeconomic development of the country and the quality of life and well-being of working people are closely linked with each other.

WORK ENVIRONMENTRecognition of occupational hazards:

1. Safety hazards

2. Health hazards

Safety HazardsSlipping/tripping hazardsFire and explosion hazardsWork at heightMaterials falling from heightWorkplace violence

Health Hazards Chemical hazards Physical hazards Biological hazards Ergonomic hazards

CHEMICAL HAZARDSHarmful chemical

compounds in the form of solids, liquids, gases.

exert toxic effects by inhalation, absorption, or ingestion.

• Dusts• Organic - Sugar cane dust (Bagasosis)• Inorganic – Asbestos, silica, lead, mercury

• Gas• Natural – CO2• Asphyxiants - Nitrogen, methane,

hydrogen, CO, H2S• Irritant gases - SO2, formaldehyde,

Nitrogen fumes

CHEMICAL HAZARDS

BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS

BacteriaVirusesFungi

Biological hazardsOccupational infections

◦TB◦Brucellosis

Cattle, sheep, pigs◦Anthrax◦Viral hepatitis B and C◦AIDS

PHYSICAL HAZARDSInclude:

◦Temperature◦Excessive noise◦Vibration◦Radiation

• Thermal stress• Vascular injury• Increased muscle tone• Hypothermia/heat stroke

• Prevention–Gradual exposure leading to

acclimatization–Engineering control (proper insulation

and ventilation)

PHYSICAL HAZARDS

Noise and Vibration◦Noise induced hearing loss

85 db for prolonged period◦Related to amount, frequency and

duration of exposure◦Prevention

Design and maintenance of machinery Workshift/work schedule Protective equipment

PHYSICAL HAZARDS

ERGONOMIC HAZARDS

Excessive physical workContributing factors

◦Awkward postures◦Repetitive motions◦Forceful exertions

- workplace conditions that pose the risk of injury to the musculoskeletal system of the worker

Occupational diseases• Are illnesses caused

by or precipitated by factors inherent in the employee’s nature of work and working conditions

Occupational HistoryDescriptions of all jobs heldTypes of tasks performedMaterials exposed to, amount, date of

exposurePersonal protective equipment usedSimilar health complaints in other

workersPrevious medications, exams, pre-

employment data

Characteristics of occupational diseases

The clinical and pathological presentation is identical to that of non-occupational diseases

May occur after the termination of exposure

The clinical manifestations are related to dose and timing of exposure

Occupational factors can work in combination with non-occupational factors to produce disease

Evidence of work-related diagnosis

Symptoms compatible with exposureDiagnostic physical signsSimilar problems in other workersComplaint related to timeKnown exposureScientific plausibilityBiologic confirmationLack of non-occupational cause

Number and types of occupational diseases

Occupational health problems are not only problems of individual workers’ health, but they are also problems relating to the healthiness and safety of work and the work environment, the organization of work and the management philosophy of the enterprise and workplace.

Occupational safety and accident prevention

Levels of Prevention

1. Primary – promotion of health Information dissemination Training, research and interventions on

workplace improvements2. Secondary – for early detection and

prompt and effective intervention to correct illnesses and accidents

3. Tertiary – to reduce impairments and disabilities and promote patient’s adjustment to irremediable conditions

Controlling Hazards• Identify• Evaluate• Control• Educate

1. Engineering Control–Design specification–Substitution, isolation, ventilation

2. . Administrative control– Work rotation– Work schedule / workshift– Proper waste disposal/good housekeeping– Informed– Adequate sanitary facilities

3. Personal Protective Equipment–Determine the need–Approved design and construction–Maintenace–No one should be subjected or exposed to

hazarda without proper protection

Key strategiesThe key strategy principles of international and national occupational health and

safety policies are: avoidance of hazards (primary prevention) safe technology optimization of working conditions integration of production and health and safety activities government’s responsibility, authority and competence in the development and

control of working conditions primary responsibility of the employer and entrepreneur for health and safety at

the workplace recognition of employees’ own interest in occupational health and safety cooperation and collaboration on an equal basis by employers and workers right to participate in decisions concerning one’s own work right to know and principle of transparency continuous follow-up and development of occupational health and safety. Implementation of such principles requires appropriate legal provisions,

administrative enforcement and service systems for occupational safety and health and occupational health services.

Duties of Occupational Health Physician

1. Organize, administer and maintain an occupational health service program Health Protection Health Promotion Health Surveillance

2. Monitor work environment3. Provide medical and surgical care4. Maintain and analyze medical records

References:WHO

◦http://www.who.int/occupational_health/publications/globstrategy/en/index5.html

Thank you!