4. Ergonomics - “Fitting the job to the worker”. Integral part of occupational health services. Greek word ‘Ergon’ means ‘Work’, ‘Nomos’ means ‘Law’ . It is the ADAPTATION, MODIFICATION, MANIPULATION of MACHINERY, WORK ENVIRONMENT, WORK & REST SCHEDULE and JOB DEMANDS to suit the CAPACITY, LIMITATIONS & EXPECTATIONS of the workers.
8. OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS 1. Physical hazards Heat – Direct & indirect effect of high temperature, radiant heat, heat stagnation. Cold –General & local cold injury Light – Acute & chronic effect of bright & dim light & glare. Radiation Ionizing -X-rays,gammarays,betaparticles, alpha particles Non-ionizing -microwaves, infrared, and ultra-violet light Noise –Auditory & non auditory effect. Vibration –hazardous in the frequency range of 10- 500Hz
19. Diseases due to Biological Agents Hepatitis B Virus Hepatitis C Virus Tuberculosis – particularly among Healthcare Workers Asthma – among persons exposed to organic dust Blood-borne Diseases – HIV/AIDS Anthrax Brucellosis Tetanus Leptospirosis
20. OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS 4. Psychosocial hazards Work-related stress – excessive working time and overwork Violence – from outside the organization Bullying – emotional and verbal abuse Sexual Harassment Mobbing Burnout Exposure to unhealthy elements – tobacco, uncontrolled alcohol
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23. Disorders due to PsychologicalAgents Psychological Hazards resulting from stress & strain:Depression Discouragement Boredom Anxiety Memory loss Dissatisfaction Frustration Irritability Discouragement Pessimism
24. PREVENTION OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES.MEASURES FOR HEALTH PROTECTION OF WORKERS. Nutrition. Communicable disease control. Environmental sanitation. Water supply Food Toilet Proper garbage & waste disposal. General plant cleanliness. Sufficient space. Lighting. Ventilation. Protection against hazards.
25. 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 services 7. Health education.
26. 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. Notification 6. Maintenance and analysis of records. 7. Health education and counseling.
Notas del editor
It is about health at work place.About health problems arising from work and their preventionAbout promoting and maintaining the health of the working population.
Physical hazards.- Heat – Direct & indirect effect ofhigh temperature, radiant heat, heat stagnation.Comfort zone – 20 -27 degree C.Light- Acute & chronic effect of bright & dim light & glare.Radiation – ultra violet, ionizing: x-rays, radio isotopes- cobalt 60, phosphorus 32.Permissible level of radiological exposure – 6 rem / year.Noise – Auditory & non auditory effect.Vibration- hazardous in the frequency range of 10- 500HzChemical hazardsA.Local action: - irritants, sensitizers, B. Inhalation:– Dusts – organic , Inorganic Gases – Simple asphyxiants : Methane, Nitrogen, Carbon dioxide.Chemical asphyxiants : CO, Hydrogen sulphide, HCNIrritant gases: Ammonia, SO2,Anesthetic gases: Chloroform, Ether, Trichloroethylene.Metallic compounds:Ingestion :Metallic compounds : Arsenic, Antimony, Beryllium, Chromium, Cadmium, Cobalt, Lead, Mercury, Manganese, Zinc.
Cold: General & local cold injury general –hypothermia – numbness, loss of sensation, desire to sleep, hallucination, coma, death.Trench foot [ wet – cold injury] in temp above freezing point, Frost bite –[ Dry - cold injury] below freezing point, tissues freeze and ice crystals form between the cells, leads to tissue damage in prolonged exposure, part may need amputation.Prevention: adequate clothing. Affected part can be warmed using water at 44 deg. C, WARMING FOR 20 MIN. AT A TIME, DRINKING HOT FLUID.
Heat stroke: Failure of heat regulating mechanism. temp – upto 110 deg F [ 44 deg. C, Skin dry, hot , no perspiration, delirium, convulsions partial / complete loss of consciousness, death in 40 % cases if not treated in time. TREATMENT : Rapid cooling of body in ice water till rectal temp falls to 39 deg C [ 102 deg F.]Heat hyperpyrexia : This is also due to impaired functioning of temp regulation mechanism but less severe than H. stroke.Heat exhaustion: Milder condition due toinadequate replacement of water and salt due to excessive perspiration / sweating. Occurs afterseveral days of exposure to high temp. Body temp may be normal or mod. High, not more than 102 deg F. – DIZZINESS, WEAKNESS, FATIGUE. Treatment NORMALISING FLUID AND ELECTROLYTE BALANCE. Heat cramps : occur in people who are doing heavy muscular work in high temp.
5. Measures for women and children.Developing embryo is more susceptible to noxious agents than the xposed mother.Females are less suited for some tasks and pregnancy put certain limitaions on work capacity.Females tend to restrict their nourishment in difficult economic circumstances.Infant mortality is higher among the children of women employed in industries.