Transcript File
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 Hazard Exposure Health Risk = Hazard x Exposure Exposure Hazard Health Risk No Hazard = No Risk Hazard, but no Exposure = No Risk Health Risk = Hazard x Exposure HAZARDS AT WORKPLACE Physical Chemical Biological Psychosocial Ergonomics Mechanical Classes of Hazards Chemical Physical Health hazard The potential to cause harm to health Biological Psychological Ergonomic Occupational Hazards • Bacteria • Fungi • Insects • Viruses • Manual handling • Repetitive movement • Restrictive working area • Noise • Vibration • Radiation • Lighting • Heat • Cold • Fibres • Dusts BIOLOGICAL ERGONOMICAL CHEMICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL PHYSICAL • 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 Heat Stress Heat Stroke Cataract eg. hot oven workers, glass manufacturing COLD Hypothermia Frostbite (freezing soft body tissue) eg. cold storage workers RADIATION Ionising Radiation X-ray, Gamma, Alpha & Beta particles eg. radiology staff, nuclear plant, radium workers Health effects: Cancer – lung, bone, thyroid Congenital abnormalities Leukaemia Non-Ionising Radiation 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