Industrial Occupational Hazards and Diseases

Occupational hazards

An industrial worker can be exposed in the following types of hazards, depending upon his occupation

Chemical Hazards:

The common chemical substances, such as carbon monoxide, carbon diox-ide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, hydrocarbons, sulphuric acid, tannic acid acetic acid, fumeric acid, ozone, limes and alkalies cause injury to the employee when they are absorbed through skin and inhaling or ingesting. Workers may suffer from respiratory diseases, skin diseases, allergy, heart disease, cancer and neurological disorders.These diseases may be temporary or chronic in nature. Often a disease may be difficult to diagnose because either its symptoms may appear after a long dormant period or may not be apparent at all. These diseases often shorten employee s life expectancy.

Biological Hazards

These hazards are manifested by diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, vi-ruses, insects, dietary deficiencies, excessive drinking, allergies, brain fever, imbalances, tetanus, stresses and strains. All these tell upon employee‘s health.

Environmental Hazards

Environmental hazards may include noise pollution, vibration and shocks, illumination, radiation, heat, ventilation, air and water pollution. These hazards cause redness of eyes, genetic disorders, cancer, sterility, hearing loss, nerve injury etc., to workers.

Psychological Hazards

Industrial/job stress caused by various stressors such as task and role demands, ganisational leadership, lack of group cohesion, intergroup and interpersonal conflicts, life and career changes, etc., lead to emotional disturbances.

Occupational Diseases

Occupational Diseases are the results of physical conditions and the presence of industrial poisonous and non-poisonous dust in the atmosphere. Raw material, products, by products, and waste products may enter the body to endanger the health of the workers.

^Ø  Silicosis

^Ø  Bagassosis

^Ø  Byssionosis

^Ø  Manganese poisoning

^Ø  Mercury poisoning

^Ø  Lead poisoning

^Ø  Phosphorous poisoning

^Ø  Anthrax

^Ø  Caisson disease

Protection against health hazards

^Ø  By substituting less toxic substances for the hazardous chemical by providing protecting clothing &safety education.

^Ø  In radiation industries insists their employees wear badges.

^Ø  By controlling noise in factories by segregating noisy equipment.

^Ø  To take necessary actions for optimum temperature,controlling dust,clothing and shields

Recommendations of the national commission on labour

^Ø  Protecting the workers againt any health hazards which may arise out of their work .

^Ø  Contributing towards the workers,physical and mental adjustment in particular by the adoption of workers to the job for which they are suited.

^Ø Establishment and maintenance of the highest possible degree of physical and mental well being of the workers.