Occupational Health Dr Pracheth R Assistant Professor Community

Occupational Health Dr. Pracheth R, Assistant Professor, Community Medicine

Introduction • Prevention of disease • Maintain well-being • Earlier: industrial health • All types: agriculture

Ergonomics • Fitting job to worker • Mutual adjustment of man and work • Improve human efficiency, well-being • Interaction in working environment: üMan and agents üMan and machine üMan and man

Occupational hazards • Physical hazards: üHeat and cold: ØBurns, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, cramps ØChillblains, frost bite üLight: ØPoor lighting: eye strain, headache, eye pain, Miner’s nystagmus ØBrightness: discomfort, fatigue

Heat stroke

Heat exhaustion

Heat syncope

Chillblains

Frost bite

Miner’s nystagmus

Noise • Auditory effects: temporary or permanent hearing loss • Non-auditory effects: nervousness, fatigue, interference with speech, decreased efficiency

Vibration • Range: 10 -500 Hz- drills, hammers • Affect hands, arms • Blood vessels: sensitive-white fingers

UV radiation • Welding • Intense conjunctivitis, keratitis (Welder’s Flash)

Ionizing radiation • X-rays, radio-active isotopes • Genetic changes, malformation, cancer, leukaemia, ulceration

Chemical hazards • Local action: dermatitis, eczema, ulcers, cancerprimary irritant action

Inhalation • Dusts: üSize: 0. 1 to 150 microns üReleased to atmosphere: crushing, grinding üSmaller than 5 microns: dust üSoluble dusts: circulation- eliminated üInsoluble: permanent in lungs- pneumoconiosis: silicosis, anthracosis

Continued…. . • Gases: üSimple : oxygen, hydrogen üAsphyxiating: carbon monoxide, cyanide • Metals and other compounds: üLead, arsenic, cadmium üEffects depend on duration, dose

Ingestion • Lead, mercury, arsenic • These: swallowed in minute amounts: contaminated hands, food • Much: excreted, small: circulation

Continued…. • Biological: Leptospirosis, anthrax, brucellosis, tetanus • Mechanical hazards: machines: accidents • Psychosocial hazards: üFailure to adapt üInsecurity, poor human relationships üAnxiety, depression, aggressiveness üFatigue, headache, peptic ulcer, hypertension

Occupational diseases classification • Physical agents: üHeat: hyperpyrexia, exhaustion, syncope, cramps, burns üCold: trench foot, frost bite, chillblains üLight: occupational cataract, miner’s nystagmus üNoise: occupational deafness üRadiation: cancer, leukaemia üMechanical: accidents, injuries üElectricity: burns

Continued…. • Chemical agents: üGases: CO 2, CO, HCN, CS 2 üDusts: ØInorganic: Coal dust: anthracosis Silica: silicosis Asbestos: asbestosis Iron: siderosis

Continued…. ØOrganic (vegetable) dusts: Cane fibre: bagassosis Cotton dust: byssinosis Tobacco: tobaccosis Hay or grain dust: farmer’s lung üMetals: lead, mercury, cadmium, manganese üChemicals: acids, alkalies, pesticides

Continued…. • Biological agents: brucellosis, leptospirosis, tetanus • Occupational cancers: skin, lungs, bladder • Dermatosis: dermatitis, eczema • Psychological origin: industrial neurosis, hypertension, peptic ulcer.

Occupational hazards: agricultural workers • Zoonotic diseases: leptospirosis, tetanus, tuberculosis, brucellosis • Accidents: machinery, insect, snake bites • Toxic hazards: chemicals: fertilizers, pesticides • Physical: temperature, humidity • Respiratory diseases: dusts: grains, rice, tobacco: byssinosis, bagassosis, farmer’s lung, occupational asthma

Occupational dermatitis • Physical: heat, cold, moisture, pressure • Chemical: acids, alkalies, dyes • Biological: viruses, bacteria, fungi • Plant products: leaves, vegetables, fruits, flowers

Prevention • Pre-selection • Protection: leather gloves, aprons, boots • Personal hygiene: washing facilities • Periodic inspection

Occupational cancer • Skin cancer: üCoal tar, x-rays üNearly 75%: skin üGas workers, dye makers, road makers • Lung cancer: üGas, asbestos, mining of uranium ü 9/10 th : tobacco, air pollution, occupational exposure

Continued…. . • Cancer bladder: üAniline, rubber, dye, electric cables üBeta-naphthylamines • Leukaemia: üBenzol, X-rays, radio-active substances

Characteristics of occupational cancer • Prolonged exposure • Period: 10 -25 years • Even after stoppage of exposure • Average earlier

Control • Elimination carcinogens: well-designed building, closed system • Medical examination • Inspection of factories • Notification • Licensing • Personal hygeine • Education • Reseach

Radiation hazards • Radium: watches, paints, mining, medicine • Infrared: welding, glass • Effects: üBurns, dermatitis, chronic: cancer üLung cancer: uranium miners-inhale radip-active dust

Preventive measures • Inhalation, swallowing, direct contact avoided • X-rays: shielding • Monitored periodically: film badge/pocket electrometer • Ventilation of work-place • Periodic examination workers-2 months • Pregnant women not allowed to work

Summary

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