Health effects of Occupational hazards Flashcards
Bernardino Rammazini
Father of occupational medicine
Health and work [relationship between them]
This relationship is very important. The EFFECT of work on health
–>work as a causative factor
–>Well individual
=work as an aggravating factor
Existing illness
–> The EFFECT of health on work
incapacity and disability
Work exposure [inhalation]
Chemicals. dusts, fungi, bacteria.
Work exposure [ingestion]
Chemicals bacteria fungi
Work exposure [Dermal]
Chemicals bacteria radiation
Occupational hazards and diseases
Hazards can be Physical, Biological, Chemical, Or Psychosocial. Exposures vary from temperature to stress to DDT to rabid dog, depending on job being done.
Health outcomes also vary [ frostbite, Rabies, Neurobehavioral condition and depression and anxiety]
Role players in Occupational health
- Government
- Legislate and monitor
- Management
- Implement and surveillance
- Workers and their Representatives
- Monitor and report
- Occupational Health Professionals
- Doctor, nurse, hygienist, physiotherapist, ergonomist…….
- Unbiased party
What is Occupational Medicine?
AKA industrial medicine: is the branch of medicine which is concerned with the maintenance of health in the workplace, including prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries, with secondary objectives of maintaining and increasing productivity and social adjustment in the workplace.
Clinical [Occupational medicine]
Patient presenting with an illness ?????? OCCUPATIONAL RELATED
Systematic and logical investigation of the patient
Diagnosis of occupational-related illness in a patient based on evidence
Public health part of occupational health
Intervention to remove/reduce the cause of illness
The rehabilitation of the patient and return to maximal functioning
Medical rehabilitation
Retraining
Redesign of the work environment
Types of preventions? [4]
- Primordial prevention
- Primary prevention
- Secondary prevention
- Tertiary prevention
Problems in Occupational health in South Africa.
Unions lack systems for recognition and management of occupational health problems
Workers seldom link their current illness to work, don’t demand medical surveillance (lack of knowledge)
More hazardous jobs often better paid
Net effect reactive (after catastrophe) not proactive
Mining disasters in South Africa
More on Problems in OH in SA
Insufficient knowledge and awareness of the occupational disease among healthcare providers
Poor communication between
Workers/ GPs/ OHP
Issues of trust
The geographical distance between health care providers and workplaces (Migrant workers), household economics
