ABSTRACT

The objective to explore basic principles underlying the development of occupational

diseases it causes ,prevention and safety.

INTRODUCTION

Occupational Diseases: A disease caused by work environment and related activities .

Covers any disease contracted as a result of an exposure to hazards arising from a work
activity e.g., asthma resulting from exposure to wood dust or chemical compounds

IDENTIFICATION OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES

.Many criteria must be considered. Dr. Bradford Hill. Criteria which accounts following
characterstics:

1. Strength of Association :The stronger the association, the more likely that the
relationship is causal.The association between smoking and lung cancer is far more
likely to be causal than the association to heart disease.

2. Consistency :The association is consistent when the results are confirmed by different
people, in different places, circumstances and times, using different experimental
methods.Tools like a “meta-analysis” means that studies that meet certain inclusion
criteriaare gathered and analysed together.

3. Specificity of Association : It means that there is a one-to-one relationship between

the cause and effect, or one cause equals one effect. example ig mesothelioma (a form of
cancer)

4. Temporal Relationship: The exposure must always precede (come before) the
outcome or effect.. If smoking is a cause of lung cancer, the smoking must occur before
the cancer, not after.

5. Biological Gradient (Dose-Response Relationship) :It refers to exposure levels and

resulting health effects. An increasein the exposure increases the effect of disease
incidence; a lower exposure decreasesthe effect.

6. Plausibility :It refers that the observed relationship make sense considering current
scientific knowledge of the pathological processes.

7. Coherence :Coherence means that the association should not conflict with existing
theory andknowledge.

8. Analogy :With analogy, knowing that a drug like thalidomide or a virus like Rubella
can cause birth defects makes us more willing to accept similar evidence when
attributing these effects to a closely related drug or virus.
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT IS CONSIDERED AS AN OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE

Is often difficult to determine if exposure at the workplace mayresult in an occupational

disease. The worker’s compensation boards across Canada each maintain criteria about
what conditions that may be work-related and thereforecovered by compensation.

WHAT FACTORS MAY CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF

OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE

Occupational diseases can be caused by:

• Biological agents- bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, insects, plants, birds,

animals, humans, etc.

• Chemical agents- beryllium, lead, benzene, isocyanates, etc.

• Ergonomic issues- repetitive movements, improper set up of workstation, poor

lighting, poor design of tools, etc.

• Physical agents - ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, magnetic fields, pressure

extremes (high pressure or vacuum), extreme temperatures, noise, vibration,

etc.

• Psychosocial issues- stress, violence, bullying, harassment, lack of recognition,

etc.

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES?

Examples: Dermatitis, Respiratory illnesses, Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs),

Hearing loss, Cancer, Stress and mental health disorders, Infectious diseases.

PREVENTION OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES

Can be prevented using PPE’.E.g. Respirators( These devices help protect a worker's
lungs and upper respiratory system from chemicals, fumes, or airborne contaminants
that could cause harm) ,Gloves and/or sleeves, Body suits , Ear protection , Air Quality
Monitoring

PREVENTION PLANS AND ENSURE A SAFE WORK ENVIRONMENT.

Steps for the prevention of occupational diseases-

• By building capacity for recognition and reporting of occupational diseases by

Improving mechanisms for collection disease’s data•
• The active participation of employers’ and workers’ organizations is vital for the
development of national policies aimed at preventing occupational diseases.

CONCLUSION

A new paradigm of prevention focusing on occupational diseases and not only on

Occupational injuries are needed. The paradigm must underscore that:

• Just because the problem is difficult to tackle, it cannot be ignored.

• Recognition, prevention and treatment of occupational diseases as well

as improvement of recording and notification systems are high priorities.

• Enhancing national safety and health programmes is essential to the

health of both individuals and the societies they live in.

Occupational diseases are essentially preventable and can be ascribed to faulty

working conditions.

there are several methods to preventing occupational disease organization must

organize safety training, control banding, and provide personal protective equipment

safety guards and mechanisms safety barriers. In addition, it will be useful if all

problems will be analysed and found cause to solve it.