Occupational Health Refers to the potential risks to

Occupational Health Ø Refers to the potential risks to health and safety for those who work outside the home. Hazard Ø Something that can cause harm if not controlled. Occupational Disease Ø Disease directly caused by a person’s occupation.

OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS PHYSICAL HAZARDS MECHANICAL HAZARDS CHEMICAL HAZARDS BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS PSYCHOLOGICAL HAZARDS

PHYSICAL HAZARDS Ø Heat – Direct and indirect effect at high temperature, radiant heat, stagnation. Ø Cold – General & Local cold Injury. Ø Light – Acute & Chronic Effect of bright & dim light & Glare Ø Radiation a. Ionizing – X-Rays, Gamma Rays, Beta Particles, Alpha Particles b. Non-Ionizing – Microwaves, infrared and ultra-violet light. Ø Noise – Auditory and non-auditory effects. Ø Vibration – Hazardous in non permit-able frequency range. heat

DISEASE DUE TO PHYSICAL AGENTS DISEASE HEAT Heat Stroke, Heat Hyperpyrexia, Heat Syncope, Heat Rash, Heat Exhaustion. LIGHT Occupational Cataract, Miners nystagmus. COLD Hypothermia, Trench Foot. VIBRATION Osteoarthritis, Reynaud Disease. NOISE Occupational Deafness. PRESSURE Air Embolism, Blast Injuries. RADIATION Cancer, Genetic Changes, Aplastic Anemia.

CHEMICALS HAZARDS Ø Acids Ø Bases Ø Heavy Metals – Lead Ø Solvents - Petroleum Ø Particulates – Asbestos, Silica and other fine dust/fibrous Materials. Ø Fumes – Noxious Gases/vapors. Ø Highly Reactive Materials.

Ways of Acquiring Chemical Hazards A. Local Action : Irritants, Sensitizers. B. Inhalation : Dusts – Organic, Inorganic Gases – Simple Asphyxiantes: Methane, Nitrogen, CO 2. - Chemical Asphyxiants: CO, Hydrogen Sulphide, HCN - Irritant Gases: Ammonia, SO 2 - Anesthetic Gases: Chloroform, Ether C. Ingestion : Metallic Compounds: Arsenic, Antimony, Beryllium, Chromium, Cadmium, Cobalt, Lead, Mercury

Disease due to Chemical Agents Ø Gases – Gas poisoning Ø Inorganic Dusts: Ø Coal Dusts - Anthracosis Silica - Silicosis Asbestos - Asbestosis Iron - Siderosis Inorganic Dusts: Cane Fiber - Bagassosis cotton Dust - Byssinosis Hay Dust Iron - Farmer’s Lung - Siderosis Ø Chemicals – Burns, Dermatitis, Cancer, Respiratory, Illness. Ø Metals – Lead, Mercury, arsenic, Chromium Cause Poisoning

BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS Ø Bacteria –Viruses Ø Fungi – Molds Ø Insects – Mosquitoes Ø Hazardous Plants – Poison Lvy. Ø Birds Ø Animals Ø Blood-Borne Pathogens

Disease due to Biological Agents Ø Hepatitis B Virus Ø Hepatitis C Virus Ø Tuberculosis – Particularly among Healthcare Workers Ø Asthma – Among persons exposed to organic dust Ø Blood-Borne Diseases – HIV/AIDS Ø Anthrax Ø Brucellosis Ø Tetanus Ø Leptospirosis

PSYCHOLOGICAL HAZARDS Ø Work Related Stress – Excess working time and overwork Ø Hepatitis C Virus Ø Violence – From outside the organization Bullying – Emotional and verbal abuse Sexual Harassment Mobbing Burnout Exposure to Unhealthy Elements – Tobacco, Uncontrolled Alcohol