OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS IN THE WORKPLACE

Faridahani Haji Isahak

What is a/an Hazard Risk Exposure

What are the types of occupational hazards?

Learning objectives

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 ExposureHazard

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 BiologicalErgonomic

Psychological

Health hazard

The potential to cause harm to health

Occupational Hazards

• Noise• Vibration• Radiation• Lighting• Heat• Cold• Fibres• Dusts

CHEMICAL

• Fumes• Gases• Aerosols• Mists• Liquids• Vapours

• Bacteria• Fungi• Insects• Viruses

• Manual handling• Repetitive movement• Restrictive working area

PSYCHOLOGICAL

• Job stress• Job monotony• Unsociable hours• Job organization

ERGONOMICALBIOLOGICAL

PHYSICAL

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 Stress Heat Stroke Cataract eg. hot oven

workers, glass manufacturing

Hypothermia Frostbite (freezing

soft body tissue) eg. cold storage

workers

HEAT COLD

RADIATION

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

Ionising Radiation Non-Ionising Radiation

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 Cancereg. 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 syndromee.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

The End

Thank you