Occ Health L2

EARNIST COOK ULTRASOUND RESEARCH
AND EDUCATION INSTITUTE

NABAGESERA ASHA
BHAM YEAR 3 TRIMESTER 2
COURSE UNITE; OCCUPATION HEALTH

QUESTION; 4 LECTURE2
LECTURER; DR SSEMATIMBA
• Definition of occupational diseases.
• Reasons an employee may develop occupational diseases.
• Causes of occupational diseases.
• Factors that determine the development of occupational disease.
• Diseases, infections and intoxication.
• Prevention of occupational diseases.
• References.
Qn, 4, major occupational diseases, infections,
and toxicology.
• The World Health Organization defines occupational disease as,

• An “occupational disease” is any disease contracted primarily as a result of an exposure to risk
factors arising from work activity.
• What are the major occupational diseases.

• occupational disease, any illness associated with a particular occupation or industry. Such diseases
result from a variety of biological, chemical, physical, and psychological factors that are present in
the work environment or are otherwise encountered in the course of employment. Occupational
medicine is concerned with the effect of all kinds of work on health and the effect of health on a
worker’s ability and efficiency.
Common reasons an employee may
develop an occupational disease includes
 Hazardous materials – When an employee works with hazardous materials, such

as chemicals, they expose their health to potential diseases. It is important these
individuals have the appropriate training and equipment when dealing with such
materials.
 Noisy environments – People such as construction workers and engineers often
work on sites that have a lot of noise. Drills, heavy machinery, and hammering
can all take a toll on a person. The constant stress on the eardrums can cause
irreversible hearing loss.
 Ill-ventilated workspaces – Employees have a right to work in well-ventilated
areas. If they work underground or in confined spaces, dust and fumes can
damage one’s health. This can take a physical toll and cause health problems.
Occupational diseases can be caused by:
• Biological agents- bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, insects, plants, birds, animals, humans,
etc.
• Chemical agents- beryllium, lead, benzene, isocyanates, etc.
• Ergonomic issues- repetitive movements, improper set up of workstation, poor lighting, poor
design of tools, etc.
• Physical agents - ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, magnetic fields, pressure extremes
(high pressure or vacuum), extreme temperatures, noise, vibration, etc.
• Psychosocial issues- stress, violence, bullying, harassment, lack of recognition, et
THERE ARE OTHER FACTORS THAT
DETERMINE THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE, INCLUDING;
Amount of exposure or dose entering the body

Duration or length of exposure
Route of entry into the body
Toxicity of the chemical
Removal from the body
Biological variation (individual susceptibility)
Effects of interaction, such as synergism (e.g., smoking, alcohol use, exposure to other
chemicals).
Examples of occupational diseases
• Miners
• Miners are at risk of developing silicosis. Workers who suffer from
silicosis are even more susceptible to infections such as tuberculosis.
Miners are also at risk of developing other lung diseases such as
chronic obstructive lung disease, coal workers pneumoconiosis and
even cancer, due to their exposure to stone dust.
The largest quantities of airborne dust in
mining
2, agriculture activities
 The use of different chemicals, such as pesticides, has increased enormously

in this sector lately. As these substances are used to kill organisms, many of
them are also very toxic for human beings. Hence, workers in agriculture are
at risk of intoxications due to exposure to these pesticides.
 Construction business
 People working in the construction business are often exposed to high levels
of noise from, for instance, big construction machinery and different
pneumatic or electric tools. If the workers do not protect themselves by using
hearing protection, the noise exposure can lead to permanent hearing
impairment. Workers using hand held vibrating tools such as pneumatic
hammers or drills are also at risk of developing musculo-skeletal and
neurological disorders.
 Workers using pneumatic hammer drills can develop conditions including hand-
arm vibration syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as low back pain and
arthrosis. While these are all work-related, not all of them may be recognized
as occupational diseases.
 Health care workers
 All kinds of health care workers are at risk of contracting contagious diseases
such as tuberculosis while taking care of their patients. Through blood
sampling and handling of biological specimens, health care personnel are at
risk of contracting different blood borne diseases such as HIV and hepatitis B
and C. Even dentists can contract blood borne diseases while they are taking
care of their patients. Preventive measures including the use of gloves and
appropriate handling of used needles is important to avoid adverse health
effects among the workers.
continuation
• Different kinds of health care personnel are exposed to ionizing radiation, such
as X-rays, during their work. Interventional cardiologists and radiologist are
especially at risk for this kind of exposure. The lens of the eye is one of the most
radiosensitive tissues in the body, and exposure of the lens to ionizing radiation
can cause cataracts.
• Hairdressers
• Hairdressers are at risk of developing hand eczema due to irritant or allergy
provoking properties of different chemicals used for bleaching and colouring.
Even the wet environment associated with hair washing, makes the hairdresser’s
skin more vulnerable to the effect of both allergenic and irritating chemicals.
Hairdressers are even at risk of developing work-related rhinitis and asthma, as
well as musculo-skeletal diseases.
 Workers who survive a life-threatening incident
 Workers who survive a life-threatening incident at work are at risk of developing Post-
traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. PTSD is a mental health condition that is triggered by a
terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include
flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the
event. Rescue personnel are examples of a work occupation where there is a risk for
developing a post-traumatic stress disorder. Other examples of occupations at risk are bank
clerks who are threatened or shot at by an armed robber and miners who survive after
being trapped in a collapsing mine.
Fire fighters
How occupational diseases can be
prevented.
 Employers should develop - and employees should follow - systems, programs,

procedures, and practices that are designed to protect people from workplace hazards.
 Communicate all health hazards and exposures to employees. Provide the appropriate
information and training for the hazards present.
 Work with health professionals to investigate injuries or illnesses that may have
characteristics that suggest it may be work-related. (e.g., tell your health professional
where you work, what you do, and what products you work with).
 Occupational diseases/ definition, causes and facts(2022)
 The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C. | March 11, 2016
REFERENCES
THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING

Occ Health L2

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Occ Health L2

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Occ Health L2

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

EARNIST COOK ULTRASOUND RESEARCH

AND EDUCATION INSTITUTE

COURSE UNITE; OCCUPATION HEALTH

• The World Health Organization defines occupational disease as,

• What are the major occupational diseases.

 Hazardous materials – When an employee works with hazardous materials, such

Amount of exposure or dose entering the body

 The use of different chemicals, such as pesticides, has increased enormously

 Employers should develop - and employees should follow - systems, programs,

You might also like