Occupational hazards in the workplace Faridahani Haji Isahak

Learning objectives What is a/an Hazard Risk Exposure What are the types of occupational hazards?

Hazard Potential of an agent to cause harm

Exposure Contact with a Hazard is called Exposure Exposure is a combination of Magnitude Frequency Duration

Risk Likelihood that an agent will cause harm in the actual circumstances of exposure RISK occurs only when there is Exposure Hazard

Health Risk = Hazard x Exposure

Health Risk = Hazard x Exposure No Hazard = No Risk Hazard, but no Exposure = No Risk Health Risk = Hazard x Exposure

HAZARDS AT WORKPLACE Physical Chemical Biological Psychosocial Ergonomics Mechanical

The potential to cause harm to health Classes of Hazards Health hazard The potential to cause harm to health Chemical Psychological These are the five categories of hazards that are addressed in the HRA process. Can the group give an example from their own work environment for each of them? Ergonomic Physical Biological

Occupational Hazards Fungi Insects Viruses Repetitive movement Bacteria Fungi Insects Viruses Manual handling Repetitive movement Restrictive working area Noise Vibration Radiation Lighting Heat Cold Fibres Dusts BIOLOGICAL ERGONOMICAL PHYSICAL CHEMICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL Fumes Gases Aerosols Mists Liquids Vapours Job stress Job monotony Unsociable hours Job organization

Physical hazards

Physical hazards Fall from heights e.g. scaffolding, high building Slips and trips Objects falling from cranes Dangerous heavy machinery Electrocution Confined spaces

Physical agents

NOISE Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) Mental irritability & fatigue Noise can increase blood pressure Interference with communication can lead to accidents eg. Carpentry, quarry, construction workers

EXTREME TEMPERATURES HEAT COLD Heat Stress Heat Stroke Cataract eg. hot oven workers, glass manufacturing Hypothermia Frostbite (freezing soft body tissue) eg. cold storage workers

RADIATION Ionising Radiation Non-Ionising Radiation Ultra-violet light X-ray, Gamma, Alpha & Beta particles eg. radiology staff, nuclear plant, radium workers Health effects: Cancer – lung, bone, thyroid Congenital abnormalities Leukaemia Ultra-violet light

Chemical hazards

CHEMICAL HAZARDS Solvents Dusts (sand, asbestos, cotton) Paints Pharmaceuticals Pesticides Metal fumes Acids & Alkali which may be present in the working environment as gases, vapours, mists/aerosols, fumes, dusts, liquids or solids.

SOLVENTS Neuropathy (n-hexane,TCE) Dermatitis Kidney damage Liver damage/toxic jaundice –hepatitis Anaemia, leukaemia -benzene

DUST Asbestosis Sand dust(silica) – silicosis Cotton dust – byssinosis Vegetable/plant dust – hypersensitive pneumonitis, bronchial asthma

PAINTS Paint contain petroleum solvents. Paint contain Lead pigments (Pb poisoning) → anaemia, neuropathy, kidney damage

PESTICIDES Chronic headache Memory impairment Skin Diseases Cancer eg. Agricultural workers, pest sprayers

METAL FUMES Lead, mercury e.g. welders Health Effects: Cancer Kidney damage Neuropathy Metal fume fever

GASES Carbon monoxide, sulphur Health Effects Respiratory irritation Asphyxia e.g. coal miner, sewerage, tunnel, laboratory workers

Biological hazards

BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS Bacteria Fungi – mold Virus – Bird Flu, Influenza, SARS Blood-borne pathogen - HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis Tuberculosis e.g. farmers, health care workers, animal handlers

Psychosocial hazards

Psychosocial hazards Work-related stress – excessive working time, overwork, burnout Bullying – emotional, verbal Sexual harassment Violence at work Body odour Health effects: Occupational Stress, Anxiety, Depression Cardiovascular Disorders, GI Disorders Drug abuse, smoking

ERGONOMIC FACTORS Working postures / chairs Space per work shift Working surface height Reach / machine feeding Space between machines Strenous physical load

ERGONOMIC FACTORS Lifting heavy loads/frequent bending/repetitive & monotonous work Design of tools Displays and instructions Mental overload / visibilty

Health Effects Musculo-skeletal disorders Backache/back strain/neck strain Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) Carpel tunnel syndrome e.g. factory workers, Health care workers, electronic, garment workers, VDU operators

MECHANICAL HAZARDS Outdated machines Unsafe designs Complex / sophiscated machinery Poor maintenance Slippery /wet floors Health effects: cut/crush injuries,fractures,fb eye

SAFETY/OTHER HAZARDS Flammable substances - fire Flammable gases - explosion Electricity overload, inadequate insulation - electrocution

Thank you The End