HEALTH & SAFETY AT WORKHEALTH & SAFETY AT WORK

Dr. A K SRIVASTAVADr. A K SRIVASTAVAFormer Director,

National Institute of Miners’ HealthJNARDDC Campus, Wadi,

Nagpur – 440 023

Right to HealthRight to HealthThe Constitution of India has specif ic provisions for ensuring OSH for workers in the form of Articles 24, 39 (e and f) and 42.

The statues relating to OSH are :

for safety at workplace (e.g.. Factories Act, 1948 and Mines Act. 1952)

statues for safety of substances (e.g.. Indian Explosives Act, 1884)

statues for safety of activit ies (e.g.. Radiation Protection Rules under the atomic Energy Act)

Occupational HealthOccupational Health

The promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations – total health of all at work.

Issues…….

How to Measure ?

How to Prevent?

How to control?

Burden of Occupational SicknessBurden of Occupational Sickness

100 million occupational injuries causing 0.1 million deaths in the world.

It is estimated that in India 17 million occupational non-fatal injuries (17% of the world) and 45,000 fatal injuries (45% of the total deaths due to occupational injuries in world) occur each year.

Out of 11 million cases of occupational diseases in the world, 1.9 million cases (17%) are contributed by India.

Out of 0.7 million deaths in the world, 0.12 (17%) is contributed by India.

Source : http://www.ndc-nihfw.org/html/Programmes/NationalProgrammeForControlTreatment.htm

Cost of Occupational SicknessCost of Occupational Sickness

The adverse occupational factors have been estimated to cost 2 –14% of the gross national products for various countries.

In the year 1999, occupational diseases have caused a loss of around Rs.70,000 crore.

The amount paid as compensation for death and disablement resulting from work related injuries in India has increased from mere Rs.8 million in 1961 to 186 million in 1997.

Source : http://www.ndc-nihfw.org/html/Programmes/NationalProgrammeForControlTreatment.htm

Occupational HazardOccupational Hazard

Source or situation with a potential for harm in terms of injury or ill-health, damage to property, damage to the workplace environment, or a combination of these.

Occupational Health HazardsOccupational Health Hazards

PhysicalChemicalBiologicalMechanicalPsychosocial

Physical HazardsPhysical Hazards

Temperature I l luminationNoiseVibrationRadiationAtmospheric pressure

Chemical HazardsChemical Hazards

Metals - Lead, TEL, As, Hg, Cd, Ni , Co etc.

Aromatic Hydrocarbons - Benzene, Toluene, phenol etc.

Aliphatic Hydrocarbons - Methyl alcohol Gases - * Simple asphyxiants : N2, CH4, CO2

* Chemical asphyxiates : CO, H2S, HCN * Irritant gases : Ammonia, SO2, Cl2, * Systemic poison : CS2

Others

( Routes of entry - Inhalation, Ingestion, skin absorption.)

Chemical Hazards Contd…Chemical Hazards Contd…ThresholdThreshold

The Threshold Limit Value - Time Weighted Average (TLV-TWA) : “Time-weighted average concentration for a normal 8-hour working day and a 40-hour working week, to which nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed day after day, without adverse effect”

The Threshold Limit Value - Short Term Exposure Limit (TLV-STEL) is defined as a 15-minute, time-weighted average which should not be exceeded at any time During a working day, even if the 8-hour time-weighted average is within the TLV``

Chemical Hazards Contd…Chemical Hazards Contd…DustsDusts

Inorganic DustCoal Dust - AnthracosisSilica - SilicosisAsbestos - Asbestosis

Organic DustsCane Fiber - Bagassosis Cotton dust - ByssinosisGrain Dust - Farmer’s Lungs

Biological HazardsBiological Hazards

Bacteria

Tetanus, Tuberculosis, Anthrax, Brucellosis, Gonorrhea

Virus

Hepatitis, AIDS, Bird flue

Protozoal & Parasitic

Malaria, Hydatid, Hookworms, tapeworms, etc.

Fungi

Tinea-infections, Coccidiomycosis, Psittacoses, ornithosis, etc.

Mechanical HazardsMechanical Hazards

InjuriesFalls, cuts, abrasions, concussions, contusions, etc.

Ergonomic DisordersMusculo-skeletal disorders, Cumulative-trauma Disorders etc.

Ergonomics: - “Adjustment of Man & Machine”Application of human biological sciences with engineering science to achieve optimum mutual adjustment of man & his work, the benefit being measured in terms of human efficiency and well being.

Psychosocial HazardsPsychosocial HazardsLack of job satisfaction, insecurity, poor interpersonal relations, work pressure, ambiguity, etc.

Psychological & behavioral changes – hostility, aggressiveness, anxiety, depression, alcoholism, drug addiction, sickness absenteeism.

Psychosomatic disorders - Hypertension, headache, body-ache, peptic ulcers, asthma, diabetes, heart disorders, etc.

Occupational diseases cases in India (Estimates)Occupational diseases cases in India (Estimates)

Disease No. of CasesPneumoconiosis 76,500COPD 4,45,700Musculoskeletal Disorders 6,00,800Cancers 30,600Mental Disorders 55,800Skin diseases 33,520NIHL 2,78,800Pesticide Poisoning 9,100Other Poisoning 21,500

These estimates represent just the t ip of the ice-berg and actual number of cases may in fact be much greater.

Source : Global burden of diseases & injuries due to occupation factors – Discussion, paper, Office of Global & Integrated Environmental health, WHO, NW 1996.

Occupational Diseases - IndiaOccupational Diseases - India

In India, prevalence of Silicosis was 6.2 – 34% in Mica Miners, 4.1% in Manganese Miners, 30.4% in Lead and Zinc Miners, 9.3% in deep and surface Coal Miners, 27.2% in Iron Foundry Workers.

Prevalence of Asbestosis was extended from 3% in Asbestos Mines to 21% in Mill Workers.

In Textile workers the Byssinosis was as common as 28-47%

Source : http://www.ndc-nihfw.org/html/Programmes/NationalProgrammeForControlTreatment.htm

Control MeasuresControl Measures

Engineering

Medical

Legislative

Medical Control MeasuresMedical Control Measures

Health intervention for ensuring fitness to work and continuing work with no / minimal risk to

health

Engineering ControlsEngineering Controls

Designing-building, Work station. Good Housekeeping. Ventilation Mechanization Substitution. Enclosure Isolation Local Exhaust Ventilation. Personal Protective Devices. Continuous monitoring for remedial action

Safety & Health LegislationsSafety & Health LegislationsThe Factories Act 1948, amended 1954, 1970, 1976 & 1987The Mines Act, 1952The Dock workers (safety, health and welfare) Act, 1986The Plantation Labour Act, 1951The Explosive Act, 1884The Petroleum Act, 1934The Insecticide Act, 1968The Indian Boilers Act, 1923The Indian Electricity Act, 1910The Dangerous Machines (Regulation) Act, 1983The Indian Atomic Energy Act, 1962The Radiological Protection Rules, 1971The Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals Rules, 1989

The Factories ActThe Factories ActOn health this law requires employers:

To ensure cleanliness of the workplace; Make effective arrangement for treatment and disposal of waste and effluent; Make suitable and effective provisions for adequate ventilation; Maintain temperatures to secure reasonable comfort for workers; Remove any dust or fumes from the workplace which may be injurious to

workers; Prevent overcrowding by maintaining a specific cubic area for each workers; Provide sufficient and suitable lights; Make suitable arrangements to provide clean drinking water conveniently

situated for all workers and; Provide suitable latrines and urinals to specified standards.

The Factories Act The Factories Act –– Contd. Contd.

The Factories Act requires employers to provide basic safety measures including:

Securely guarding all parts of dangerous machinery;Precautions for working on machinery;Emergency devices for cutting off power;Maintain hoists and lifts;Lifting machines, chains, ropes, and other lifting tackle must be

maintained in good condition;Test pressurized vessels regularly;Ensure walking surfaces are of sound constructions;Provide protective equipment;Measures to remove gas and dust before entering confined places;Measures to prevent fires.

The Factories Act The Factories Act –– Contd. Contd.

The factory occupier must disclose information about:

Dangers, health hazards and measures to protect workers from substances or materials in manufacture, transportations, storage etc. to the workers, the chief factory inspector, and local authority;

Safety and Policy;

Quantity and characteristics and disposal of substances and waste;

Emergency plans to workers and the local public;

Handling, using, transportation, storage and disposal of hazardous substances to workers and the local public.

TheFactories Act also binds the employer to maintain up-to-date health records of workers, and to appoint a person experienced in handling hazardous substances to supervise handling, and provide protect ive measures and regular medical examinations.

Occupational groups needing care in futureOccupational groups needing care in future

Persons employed in non-formal sector & Cottage industries.

Agricultural workers

Persons in Health Care Sector.

Persons employed in R&D labs.

Persons employed in Call Centers

Desk workers.

Sports Persons.

What the future holdsWhat the future holds

Occupational diseases are likely to reach epidemic proportions unless there is a significant improvement in delivery of occupational health services.

Action required

Stricter implementation of existing legislations.

Poli t ical wil l and requisite emphasis on occupational health by Government.

Industries should l ink occupational health with productivi ty rather than legislation

Small scale and house hold industries should strive for cooperative occupational health infrastructure.

Occupational health should form an essential component of primary health care to provide services to agricultural workers and other high risk groups .

An early implementation of Occupational An early implementation of Occupational Health Policy is the first step towards Health Policy is the first step towards

preventing occupational diseases.preventing occupational diseases.

I would like to know your views.I would like to know your views.