Introduction to Occupational Diseases

By Dr Zahid Khan Senior Lecturer KFU, KSA

Bernardino Ramazzini (1633 – 1714)

• Considered to be the father of occupational and industrial medicine• Diseases of Workers

(De Morbis Artificum Diatriba) First edition - 1700 Second edition – 1713• published the first systematic study connecting the

environmental hazards of specific professions to disease Example: lead exposure in potters and painters • His book on occupational diseases outlined the health

hazards and other disease-causative agents encountered by workers in 52 occupations.

Sir Percivall Pott (1714 – 1788)

• Chimney Sweepers’ Cancer of the scrotum• first to associate cancer with

occupational exposure (1775)

Occupational health refers to the potential risks to health and safety for those who work outside the home

Hazard  something that can cause harm if not controlled.

Occupational disease Disease directly caused by a person’s occupation. Thus 2 main things are there in its definition.

1. The causal relationship between the specific working environment exposure and a specific disease.

2. frequency of disease occurrence is above average morbidity in the rest of population.

Ecological approach it seeks to ensure a dynamic equilibrium between the industrial worker and his occupational environment.

Workplace setting in which many people spend the

largest proportion of their time. exposes many workers to health hazards

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE ON OCCUPATIONAL

DISEASEBIRTH OF OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE

Occupational Environment

• Sum of external conditions and influences prevailing at the place of work which have a bearing on the health of the working population.

Three types of interactions in the work place:

Man and physical, chemical, & biological agents.Man and machine.Man and man.-

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Recognition of health hazardsPotential health hazards:1. Air contaminants2. Chemical hazards3. Biological hazards4. Physical hazards5. Ergonomic hazards6. . Psychosocial Hazards

HAZARD EXAMPLESPhysical Noise, Vibration, Radiation, HeatChemical Dusts, Heavy & Heavy reactive Metals, Solvents, Gases, Fumes

Biological

AIR CONTAMINANTS

Human tissue & bodily fluids (blood) causing Hepatitis B,C,HIV ( AIDS)Microbial pathogens causing Anthrax, TB, Brucellosis, asthma & Tetanus.Animal and animal products, Birds, Insects e.g Mosquitoes.

PARTICULATEDusts, Fumes, Mists, Aerosols, Fibers

GAS AND VAPOUR

Ergonomic/Mechanical Lifting & handlingPoor postureRepetitionPoor equipment & workplace design

Psychosocial Organizational Psychosocial FactorsHigh demand & Low control

Violence and verbal abuseLone working, Shift work, Night workBurn out due to Long working hoursExposure to unnecessary tobacco or smoking.

Ways of acquiring Chemical Hazards

A. Local action: irritants, sensitizers

B. Inhalation: Dusts – organic , Inorganic Gases – Simple asphyxiants : Methane, Nitrogen, CO2.

– Chemical asphyxiants : CO, Hydrogen sulphide, HCN – Irritant gases: Ammonia, SO2,

– Anesthetic gases: Chloroform, Ether, Trichloroethylene.Metallic compounds

C. Ingestion: Metallic compounds: Arsenic, Antimony, Beryllium, Chromium, Cadmium, Cobalt, Lead, Mercury, Manganese, Zinc.

Diseases due to chemical agents

• Gases – gas poisoning.• Inorganic dusts:

Coal dust - Anthracosis Silica - Silicosis. Asbestos - Asbestosis. Iron - Siderosis

• Organic dusts : Cane fiber - Bagassosis. Cotton dust – Byssinosis. Hay or grain dust – Farmer’s lung.

• Chemicals – Burns, dermatitis, cancer, respiratory illness•Metals – lead, mercury, arsenic, chromium cause poisoning

OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS

1. Physical hazardsHeat – Direct & indirect effect of high temperature, radiant heat,

heat stagnation.Cold – General & local cold injuryLight – Acute & chronic effect of bright & dim light & glare.Radiation

a. Ionizing - X-rays, gamma rays, beta particles, alpha particlesb. Non-ionizing - microwaves, infrared, and ultra-violet light

Noise – Auditory & non auditory effect.Vibration – hazardous in the frequency range of 10- 500Hz

Diseases due to Physical agentsHeat – Heat stroke, Heat hyperpyrexia, Heat

syncope, Heat Exhaustion, Heat rash.Light – Occupational cataract, Miners nystagmus.Cold – Hypothermia, Frost bite, Trench foot.Pressure – Air embolism, Blast injuries.Vibration – Osteoarthritis, Reynaud's disease [white

fingers]Noise – Occupational deafness.Radiation- Cancer, genetic changes, Aplastic anaemia.

Diseases due to Biological AgentsHepatitis B VirusHepatitis C VirusTuberculosis – particularly among Healthcare

WorkersAsthma – among persons exposed to organic dustBlood-borne Diseases – HIV/AIDSAnthraxBrucellosisTetanusLeptospirosis

OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS

4. Psychosocial hazardsWork-related stress – excessive working time and overworkViolence – from outside the organizationBullying – emotional and verbal abuseSexual HarassmentMobbingBurnoutExposure to unhealthy elements – tobacco, uncontrolled alcohol

Disorders due to Psychosocial AgentsMSDs and work-related psychosocial factors such as high workload/demands, high perceived stress levels, low social support, low job control, low job satisfaction and monotonous work.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)• can affect the body’s muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and nerves. As well as the back, neck, shoulders and upper limbs; less often they affect the lower limbs.• develop over time and are caused either by the work itself or by the employees' working environment.

MSDs and work-related psychosocial factors such as high workload/demands, high perceived stress levels, low social support, low job control, low job satisfaction and monotonous work.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)• can affect the body’s muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and nerves. As well as the back, neck, shoulders and upper limbs; less often they affect the lower limbs.• develop over time and are caused either by the work itself or by the employees' working environment.

MSDs and work-related psychosocial factors such as high workload/demands, high perceived stress levels, low social support, low job control, low job satisfaction and monotonous work.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)• can affect the body’s muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and nerves. As well as the back, neck, shoulders and upper limbs; less often they affect the lower limbs.• develop over time and are caused either by the work itself or by the employees' working environment.

Disorders due to Psychological Agents

Psychological Hazards resulting from stress & strain:

Depression DiscouragementBoredomAnxietyMemory lossDissatisfactionFrustrationIrritabilityDiscouragementPessimism

PREVENTION OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES.MEASURES FOR HEALTH PROTECTION OF WORKERS.

1. Nutrition.2. Communicable disease control.3. Environmental sanitation.• Water supply • Food• Toilet• Proper garbage & waste disposal.• General plant cleanliness.• Sufficient space.• Lighting.• Ventilation.• Protection against hazards.

PREVENTION OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES.MEASURES FOR HEALTH PROTECTION OF WORKERS.

4. Mental health: GOALS:

To promote health and happiness of workers.

To detect signs of stress and strain and take necessary measures.

Treatment of employees suffering from mental illnesses. Rehabilitation of those who become ill.5. Measures for women and children.6. Family planning services7. Health education.

PREVENTION OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES MEDICAL MEASURES:

1. Pre –placement examination.2. Periodical health check up.3. Medical and health care facilities.4. Supervision of work environment.• Water supply , food, general plant cleanliness • Toilet. Proper garbage & waste disposal.• Sufficient space.• Lighting.• Ventilation.• Protection against hazards.5. Notification6. Maintenance and analysis of records.7. Health education and counseling.

Any Questions !!!!!!

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