Occupational Health

Definition Occupational health is the branch of medical and engineering sciences which adverse environmental factors and stresses arising at the work place and their effects on the health of workers aiming to protect them from these hazards. This results in promotion of physical, mental and social health of exposed workers. This leads to prolongation of life and increasing of efficiency. Occupational health is the branch of medical and engineering sciences which adverse environmental factors and stresses arising at the work place and their effects on the health of workers aiming to protect them from these hazards. This results in promotion of physical, mental and social health of exposed workers. This leads to prolongation of life and increasing of efficiency.

Objectives of Occupational Health The objectives can be divided into two sections The objectives can be divided into two sections A.-Protective Objectives A.-Protective Objectives Prevention or reduction of occupational diseases. Prevention or reduction of occupational diseases. Prevention or reduction of accidents. Prevention or reduction of accidents. Prevention of fatigue and malformations through adequate performance of work. Prevention of fatigue and malformations through adequate performance of work.

B.-Constructive Objectives B.-Constructive Objectives Recognition of a work related disorder & occupational hazards along with follow up counseling can help to prevent diseases among the coworkers. Recognition of a work related disorder & occupational hazards along with follow up counseling can help to prevent diseases among the coworkers. Promoting the health of workers physically, mentally and socially to the highest possible standard. Promoting the health of workers physically, mentally and socially to the highest possible standard.

Occupational Health Team The team will include medical doctors, nurses, engineers, chemists, social workers, nutritionists and statisticians. The team will include medical doctors, nurses, engineers, chemists, social workers, nutritionists and statisticians. Specialized occupational doctors, hygienist, nurses, safety officer, epidemiologist & ergonomics‘. Specialized occupational doctors, hygienist, nurses, safety officer, epidemiologist & ergonomics‘.

Essential Elements of the Occupational Hx & Questionnaire Job title, type of industry. Job title, type of industry. Year work started and year work finished Year work started and year work finished Description of the job Description of the job Current work hours and shift changes Current work hours and shift changes

Current exposures to dust fumes, radiation, chemicals, biological hazards or physical hazards Current exposures to dust fumes, radiation, chemicals, biological hazards or physical hazards Other employee who have similar problems in the same working place Other employee who have similar problems in the same working place

Major types of exposure associated with clinical illnesses Gases Gases Corrosive substances Corrosive substances Dyes and stains Dyes and stains Dusts and powder Dusts and powder Asbestos and other fibers Asbestos and other fibers

Insecticides, herbicides, rodentcides i.e pesticides Insecticides, herbicides, rodentcides i.e pesticides Metals and metals fumes Metals and metals fumes Organic dusts cotton, wood Organic dusts cotton, wood petrochemicals petrochemicals Radiation and other physical factors Radiation and other physical factors

Types of Exposures in Occupational Health Accidents Accidents Mechanical exposure e.g.: friction, callosities …etc. Mechanical exposure e.g.: friction, callosities …etc. Physical exposure e.g.: heat, noise, pressure, light, electricity, radiation …etc. Physical exposure e.g.: heat, noise, pressure, light, electricity, radiation …etc. Chemical exposure e.g.: solids, dust, liquids, gases …etc. Chemical exposure e.g.: solids, dust, liquids, gases …etc. Biological exposure e.g.: bacteria, virus, parasites, …etc. Biological exposure e.g.: bacteria, virus, parasites, …etc. Socioeconomic status e.g.: wages, shift, working hours, human relations, housing, transportation, …etc. Socioeconomic status e.g.: wages, shift, working hours, human relations, housing, transportation, …etc.