OCCUPATIONAL & INDUSTRIAL OPTOMETRY

Notes by :
JHRAZON, OD

Occupational Optometry is defined as portion of optometric practice that is concerned with the
efficient and safe visual functioning of an individual within the work environment.
Principle:
• Encompasses more than just the prevention of occupational eye injuries, although that
certainly is major component
• Vision assessments of workers/patients, taking into account their specific vision
requirements and demands these requirements place upon them
Role of Occupational Optometrist
• Diagnosis of visual deficiency and correct where necessary and possible.
• Identify occupational causes of vision and eye problem. Indicated cases referral to the eye
hospital.
• To help establish the visual requirements or standards for jobs.
• Be able to advice on eye protection.
• Visual Impairment assessment.
Environmental Optometry – assess vision & relationship to environment to design optimal
visual environment (home, school, work, recreation, transportation, underwater, outer space)
• Includes industrial vision and occupational vision , which refer specifically to the use of
the eyes in the workplace
Occupational Health – health problem arising from or pertaining to work
- Mainly concerned with the factors in the work environment which can give rise to ill-
health in exposed workers.
Occupation (or work) ==== Health
Industrial Health – occupational health applied to the industrial sector
Industrial Vision – branch of visual care identified or concerned with visual problems of
industrially classifies occupational groups, involving evaluation of visual ability, prescribing
corrective lenses, and protective ocular devices and determining the optimum environment for
visual efficiency.
Occupational Hygiene – concerned with the detection, measured and evaluation of physical and
chemical factors in the work environment, and the planning and implementation of measure to
improve that environment.
Occupational Health Team
• Occupational Health Physician
• Occupational Health Nurse
• Occupational Hygienist/Industrial Hygienist
• Safety Officer/Safe Engineer
• Other Personnel
Goal of OHT
• To design, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive health and safety program that will
maintain and enhance health, improve safety, and increase productivity
Roles of OHT
• Support and help people stay in work and live full and healthy lives
• Ensure the health and well being of the working population by preventing work-related
ill-health and providing specialist rehabilitation advice provide independent, impartial advice to
employers and employees on the effects of work on health and the effects of health on work
International and Local Agencies
International
 World Health Organization (WHO) – collaborates with member states in field surveys to
identify occupational health problems
 Develop practical methods for the detection, evaluation and control of various
occupational health
 International Labor Organization (ILO) – concerned with the prevention of occupational
injuries and promotion of safety and health and well-being of workers.
 International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) – consists of committees (e.g.
physician, toxicologist, etc) looking after special subjects of interest (e.g. heavy metals, shift
work, etc)
Local
 Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
• Implement laws, policies, plans, programs, projects, rules, and regulations of the
Department
• Provide economical, efficient and effective services to the people
• Coordinate with regional offices and other departments and agencies
• Coordinate with local government units
• Perform such other functions as may be provided by laws assigned by the Secretary
 Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS)
- Responsible for undertaking continuing research and studies on occupational research
and studies on occupational safety and health
- Monitor the working environment by the use of industrial hygiene, field and laboratory
equipment and conduct medical examinations of workers exposed to hazardous substances for
the ready detection of occupational diseases.)
 Social Security System (Republic Act No. 8282, otherwise known as the Social Security
Act of 1997)
- Aimed to providing protection for the SSS member against socially recognized hazard
conditions, such as sickness, disability, maternity, old age and death, or other such contingencies
not stated but resulted in loss of income or results to a financial burden to extend the social
security system not only to the SSS member but also to his/her beneficiaries.
- Extend the social security system not only to the SSS member but also to his/her
beneficiaries.
- Compulsory to the employee who is under the age of sixty (60) and his/her monthly
income exceed the value of one thousand pesos per month (P1,000)
6 Basic Employee Benefits
1. Social Security Systems (SSS) Contributions
2. Contribution to National Health Insurance Program (NHIP)
3. Contribution to Home Development and Mutual Fund (HDMF)
4. The 13th Month Pay
5. Service Incentive Leave
According to Article 95, an employee who has rendered at least one year of service is entitled to
a yearly five days service incentive leave with pay.
• Sick/ Vacation leave – 15 days with pay
• Maternity leave – (provision Article 133; Social Security Act of 1997, Republic Act No.
8282)
 Caesarian section – seventy-eight (78) days
 Normal delivery – sixty (60) days
• Paternity leave – (the Paternity Leave Act of 1996)
 Seven (7) working days
6. Meal and Rest Periods

-Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) have again reminded Filipinos 60 years
old and above that they are mandatorily covered under the National Health Insurance Program
pursuant to Republic Act (RA) 10645, and as reiterated under RA 11223 or the Universal Health
Care Law.

Community Aspects of Occupational Health

Occupational health legislation should provide for:
• The hygiene of worksites.
• The safety of worksites and work processes.
• The welfare of workers.
• A list of occupational diseases notifiable to the government.
• Workmen’s compensation for occupational diseases and injuries.
• Statutory medical examinations for groups of persons such as women and young persons.
Generally the laws should ensure the following:
• Every worker has the right to work in an environment, which is healthy and safe.
• Employers have the obligation to provide a work environment, which is healthy and safe.
• Workers have the right to know what hazards they are exposed to at work and employers
have an obligation to provide this information.
• Workers have the right to raise complaints and not be victimized for raising rush
complaints.
• Workers should have full access to approved protective equipment and clothing
• Workers have the right to be consulted by employers on all changes to the workplace,
which may have implications for the health and safety of the workers.
Environmental Optometry – Environmental Vision is that discipline that is concerned with the
interaction of the visual system with the environment.
• Assess vision & relationship to environment (home, school, work, recreation,
transportation, underwater, outer space)
• Analyze patient’s environment with reference to potential visual problems
• Evaluate environment to improve visual performance design optimal visual
environmental
• Includes industrial vision and occupational vision, which refer specifically to the use of
the eyes in the workplace.
Industrial Vision – devoted to the protection of the eye in the workplace, which involves
protection from flying objects, radiation, and more recently lasers.

Occupational (Industrial) Hygiene

Definition
Art and science dedicated to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, communication and control
of environmental stressors in, or arising from, the workplace that may result in injury, illness,
impairment, or affect the well being of workers and members of the community.
• Stressors are divided into the categories
 Biological
 Chemical
 Physical
 Ergonomic
 Psychosocial

• It encompasses
1) The prevention of occupational eye injuries.
2) Vision assessments of workers/patients, taking into account their specific vision
requirements and the demands these requirements place upon them.

 Occupational Vision – primarily concerned with ensuring that the worker has adequate
visual skills and aids in order to perform the job in a satisfactory manner.
• Environmental vision also includes other topics that relates to how a human being
interacts with the environment through and with the eyes.
• It encompasses special uses if the eyes for leisure and recreational activities and their
effect on performance.
• The design of visual displays such as those found on video display tubes or signs
• It also involves optimal lighting and color in the environment for both efficiency and
aesthetics, protective eyewear for recreational users, such as skiing, sunbathing, and boating.
• The design of reading material to enhance optimal human vision performance
• Effects of special environments such as haze, fog, underwater, and space – on vision
would also be included, as would special uses of the eyes at night
Optometrists provide occupational vision services at three general areas or levels:
1) Primary care
2) Eye safety consultation
3) Vision consultation
Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC)
Objective:
• To protect every workingman against the dangers of injury, sickness or death through safe
healthful working conditions
Scope of the Standards
• Apply to all places of employment except land, sea and air transportation. Their garages,
dry docks, port hangars and repair shops are covered by the standards.
Duties of Employers under the Standards
Furnish his workers a place of employment free from hazardous conditions that are causing or
likely to cause death, illness or physical harm to his workers.
• Give complete job safety instructions to all his workers especially to those entering the
job for the first time.
• Comply with the requirements of the Standards.
• Use only approved devices and equipment in his workplace.
Industrial Vision`
Accident – defined as an anticipated event resulting in injury.
Two Phases of Accident Prevention
• The prevention of accidents that results to injury of the eyes.
• Prevention of accidents attributable to or correlated prior to the accident.
Three points of Emphasis in Accident Prevention
• Worker
• Hazard
• Injury
Hazardous Equipment – refers to plant equipment, which by their very nature has the potential of
causing severe or fatal injury to the worker or operator (e.g. crane and other lifting equipment,
press machine, etc.).
Hazardous Materials or substances – refers to substances which upon exposure results or may
result in adverse effects on health and safety of humans in an occupational setting (e.g. toxic,
flammable, explosive, etc.)
Imminent Danger – refers to a condition or practice in any workplace that could reasonably be
expected to cause death or serious physical harm before abatement until the enforcement
procedures can be accomplished.
Occupational Hazards – refers to various environmental factors or stresses that can cause
sickness, impaired health, or significant discomfort in workers and can be classified as chemical,
physical, biological or ergonomic.
Removals of hazards to avoid eye injury are
o Protecting glass guards on grinding wheels. The use of such guards usually requires
supplementary illumination to ensure visibility at the working point.
o Shields, either stationary or movable, guarding welding or shipping operations from
neighboring workers.
o Exhaust fans with hoods or similar equipment to carry off harmful fumes or dust.
o Proper safety equipment for handling corrosive fluids.
o Revision of processes or redesign of the job to eliminate or reduce the hazard.
Eye Hazards
• Impact from flying particles or objects
• Dust and powder
• Chemical, vapors, splash and spray
• Glare, heat and excessive visible light and radiation
Rules to be followed to eliminate hazards
When practicable, harmless substances shall be substituted for hazardous
substances or the process shall be revised to reduce worker’s exposure to the hazards.
• Control of process by general ventilation to provide a continual of fresh air to keep the
concentration of contaminants within safe limits.
• Workers shall be provided with, and shall use personal protective clothing and
equipment.
• All containers with hazardous substances shall be properly labeled indicating category of
hazard, and proper handling procedures.
• The atmosphere of workrooms shall be tested periodically at such intervals as may be
necessary but no longer than annually.
• Ventilation and exhaust equipment shall be inspected and tested periodically.
• Dust accumulation on all floors or rooms shall be prevented
• Where toxic and irritating substances are being handled, manufactured or used, the floors,
walls, structural surfaces, workbenches, tables, and equipment shall be thoroughly cleaned daily.
• In all workplaces where hazardous substances are manufactured, handled or used,
suitable warning device shall be installed.
Safety Color for Industry
 The standard color code should conform to the following general requirement
• The purpose of color in safety program is to attract the workers attention
• The selected color should act as stimuli to call for the specific pre-determined
associations (ex. Red-danger)
• The commonly recognized colors, each of which can be identified readily by name
should be employed
• Any identification based on colors must respect previous common usage (ex. Red-fire
protection)
• The high frequency of color blindness must taken into consideration
• The color must be highly distinguishable under all lighting condition
Standard Colors of Signs for Safety Instructions and Warnings in Building Premises
 Red – (Danger) Fire Protection. To call attention to fire protection equipment apparatus
and facilities
 Green – Designating “safety”
• Location of first aid-equipment
• Location of safety and allied devices
• Safety bulletin boards
• Stop light
 White and Black – Traffic. White, Black, or combinations of these are the basic colors for
the designation of traffic and housekeeping marking
 Yellow – Caution. To designate caution and for marking physical hazards, such as
striking against, stumbling, falling, tripping, and “caught in between”
• Construction equipment, such as bulldozers, tractors
• Piping systems containing dangerous materials
 Orange – Alert. To designate dangerous parts of machines or energized equipment which
may cut, crush, shock or otherwise injure, and to emphasize such hazards when enclosure doors
are open or when gear, belt or other guards around moving equipment are open or removed,
exposing unguarded hazards.
• To designate the sign “ Do not open or remove (cutting devises, pulleys, power and
electrical switch boxes)
 Blue – Precaution. To designate caution, limited to warning against starting, use of, or
the movement of equipment, which is under repair or being worked upon
 Purple – Radiation. To designate hazards. Yellow is used in combination with purple for
markers, such as tags, labels, signs and floor markers.

ERGONOMICS
Definition
• is the science of work
• Also Known As: Human Factors, Human Engineering, Human Factors Engineering
Principle
• Fitting the work to the user instead of forcing the user to fit the work
Ergonomists – study human capabilities in relationship to work demands.
• Field of ergonomics not only includes the reduction of production costs but also the
coordination of the requirements created by production, processes, machine and equipment with
the functional abilities of man and with his powers of adaptation which were found in the course
of his work and training.
• Traditionally, ergonomics dealt with matters of fitting the tools and machine operations to
human capabilities.
Methods in Ergonomics
• Diagnosis can be made by
o interview with workers
o inspection of worksite
o physical measurement of workers
o testing and illumination
o administration of an ergonomic checklist-ranging from very simple ones which the
supervisor or worker could easily fill to very technical and complicated one.
• Treatment – solutions are formulated on the basis of data obtained during the diagnosis
stage.
o Simple remedies can be made such as re-positioning of furniture, lighting fixtures or
windows
o At all times, new work furniture may have to be bought or made to suit the physical
dimensions of the workers
• Follow-up – both subjective and objective evaluations are necessary to test the
effectiveness of the ergonomics measures implemented
Vision and Task Performance
Optometrists measures numerous aspects of a person’s vision such as:
• Visual acuity
• Refractive error
• Ocular muscle balance
• Depth perception
• Color vision
• Accommodation
Goal of Occupational Vision
To ensure that the workers has adequate visual skills to perform the job
Role of Optometrists in Occupation Health/Vision
• Vision examination (screening and general) which includes pre-employment tests and
periodic recheck-ups.
• Diagnosis of visual deficiency and correction where necessary and possible.
• Visual evaluation where visual requirements on the job are adequately matched with the
visual abilities of the person at work
• Possibly identify occupational causes of vision and eye problems
• Advice on eye protection.
• To establish minimum visual requirements and standards for various jobs.
Recommended Eye Examinations for Employees
• Visual acuity test
– Every employee must have a baseline visual acuity reading with and without pinhole or
eyeglass
– Visual acuity should be tested at least once a year especially for employees doing
near/close work
• Refraction – should be done on employees with visual acuity equal or poorer than 20/40
and those employees forty years or over
• Color vision test – recommended for employees who will be dealing with color Depth
perception – should be done for pilots, drivers, crane operators
• Ophthalmologic referral – for employees with the following signs and symptoms such
as headache, recurrent redness of the eye, visual disturbance (especially if acute)
• Field testing
Recommended Minimum Ophthalmic Requirements in Industrial Clinic
• visual acuity charts for far and near vision
• pinhole disc
• good light source
• water fountain
• eyelid retractor
• eye swabs, eye drops/ointment
• topical anesthetic
Eye and Face Protector
• Eyes and face protective equipment shall be required where there is reasonable
probability of exposure to hazards.
• The employer shall furnish a type of protective equipment suitable for the work to be
performed and the employees shall use such equipment.
• Eye protection shall provided where the processes or operations present hazards of flying
objects, liquids, injurious radiation, glare or a combination of these hazards.
A. Minimum Requirement of Eyes and Face Protective Equipment
• Provide adequate protection against the particular hazard for which they are designed or
intended.
• Be reasonably comfortable to use.
• Fit snugly and shall not unduly interfere with the movements of the user.
• Durable, easily cleaned and capable of disinfected.
• Be kept clean and in good condition.
• Made of non-combustible or slow-burning materials.
• Distinctively marked as industrial safety wear with the manufacturer’s name or trademark
on the lenses
B. An industrial protective spectacle is consisting of two lenses and a special frame constructed
according to American National Standard Institute (ANSI).
• Industrial protective frames may be manufactured of metal, plastic or a combination of
both. In addition, the retainer groove shall be specifically constructed to hold the lenses securely.
• Plastic frames are preferred when electrical, chemical, or explosive hazards are involve.
Metal frames are preferred when an employee is working in high temperature because plastic
tends to soften, creating a loss of spectacle adjustment.
C. An industrial safety lens is lenses used in protective eye wear that provides a degree of impact
resistance. Safety lenses should be more rigid compared to ordinary street wear.
• Industrial safety lenses are available in the following materials to achieve the required
impact resistance:
• Heat-treated crown glass
• Laminated crown glass
• Chemical-hardened crown glass
• Plastic
– Polycarbonate/Trivex
– CR-39
Forms of Materials Protection
• Protector
• Goggles
• Face Mask
• Helmet
• Shields
• Hood
Requirements of Protective Eyewear (FDA and ANSI)
Lens Thickness Glass and plastic Glass and plastic. Not less than
3.00mm, not
No specific requirements more than 3.8mm
Impact test Must withstand 5/8-inch steel Must withstand 1-inch diameter steel ball,
weight
ball, weight approximately approximately 2.4 ounces, dropped
in free fall
0.56 ounces, dropped from a from a height of 50” onto the
horizontal upper
horizontal upper surface of horizontal upper surface of the lens.
the lens.
Frame and Non-required Safety spectacles require special
frames.
marking Combination of street-wear frames
with safety
lenses meeting the standard is
definitely not in
compliance.
Marking Individual lenses are not Glass and plastic. Each lens shall be
distinctively
marked; however copies marked in a permanent and legible
manner with
of invoices of all impact- the manufacturer’s monogram.
Markings should
resistance lenses shall be not interfere with the vision of the
wearer.
Kept for a period 3 years.
Dangers to Vision

Workplace hazards are the sources of potential harm or damage to someone or something in any
work environment. It can be material or any activity that has the likelihood to cause injuries
under specific conditions. It should be eliminated as soon as they are identified to prevent
workplace incidents or fatalities.

Hazards and risks

What are hazards? A hazard is any source of potential damage, harm, or adverse health effects
on something or someone.

What are risks? Risks are described as a “probability or likelihood of developing a disease or
getting injured, whereas hazard refers to the agent responsible.”

The 7 common workplace hazards are:

Safety hazards

Biological hazards

Physical hazards

Ergonomic hazards

Chemical hazards
Psychological/Work organization hazards

Environmental hazards

1. Safety hazards

Safety hazards are number one on the list of 6 types of workplace hazards. These hazards play an
effect on employees who work directly with machinery or on construction sites. Safety hazards
are unsafe working conditions that can cause injury, illness, and death. According to the National
Safety Council, in 2016, 34,673 people in North America have died in falls at home and at work.
Safety hazards are the most common workplace risks. They include:

Anything that can cause spills or trips such as cords running across the floor or ice

Anything that can cause falls such as working from heights, including ladders, scaffolds, roofs,
or any elevated work area.

Unguarded and moving machinery parts that a worker can accidentally touch.

Electrical hazards like frayed cords, missing ground pins, and improper wiring

Confined spaces.

2. Biological hazards

Definition of biological hazards, commonly known as biohazards, can be any biological

substance that could cause harm to humans. Biological hazards exposure to harm or disease from
working with animals, people, or infectious plant materials. Workplaces with these kinds of
safety hazards include, but are not limited to, work in schools, daycare facilities, colleges and
universities, hospitals, laboratories, emergency response, nursing homes, or various outdoor
occupations.

Types of things you may be exposed to for biological hazards:

Blood and other body fluids

Fungi/mold

Bacteria and viruses

Plants

Insect bites

Animal and bird droppings

3. Physical hazards

Of all the hazards in your workplace, physical hazards might be the least obvious. Despite their
name, physical hazards aren’t always something that you can see or touch. Physical hazards
affect workers in extreme weather conditions or harmful working environments. Workers who
are exposed outside in the sun for a prolonged period of time can suffer physical hazards which
can cause long-term effects to their health. Physical hazards can be any factors within the
environment that can harm the body without necessarily touching it.

Physical hazards include:

Radiation: including ionizing and non-ionizing (EMF’s, microwaves, radio waves, etc.) materials
High exposure to sunlight/ultraviolet rays

Gases under pressure

Temperature extremes – hot and cold

Constant loud noise

4. Ergonomic hazards

Ergonomic safety hazards occur when the type of work, body positions, and working conditions
put a strain on your body. They are the hardest to spot since you don’t always immediately notice
the strain on your body or the harm that these hazards pose. Short-term exposure may result in
“sore muscles” the next day or in the days following the strain, but extended exposure can result
in serious long-term issues.

Ergonomic Hazards include:

Improperly adjusted workstations and chairs

Frequent lifting

Poor posture

Awkward movements, especially if they are repetitive

Having to use too much force, especially if you have to do it frequently

Excessive vibration
5. Chemical hazards

Chemical hazards are present when a worker is exposed to any chemical preparation in the
workplace in any form (solid, liquid or gas). Some are safer than others, but to some workers
who are more sensitive to chemicals, even common solutions can cause illness, skin irritation, or
breathing problems.

Chemical hazards can be present in the following:

Liquids like cleaning products, paints, acids, solvents – particularly if hazardous products are in
an unlabeled container

Vapors and fumes that come from welding or exposure to solvents

Gases like acetylene, propane, carbon monoxide, helium, h2s gas

Hazardous products and flammable materials like gasoline, solvents, and explosive chemicals

Pesticides

6. Psychological/Work organization hazards

Stressors that cause stress (short-term effects) and strain (long-term effects). These are hazards
associated with workplace issues such as workload, lack of control and/or respect, etc.
Examples include:
Workload demands

Workplace violence

High intensity and/or pace

Respect (or lack thereof)

Flexibility

Control or say about things

Social support or relations

Sexual harassment

7. Environmental hazards

Last but definitely least are environmental hazards which are constantly changing with
increasingly unpredictable – and extreme – weather and climate. The bad news is that they are
mostly out of our control, but the good news is weather challenges and hazards are somewhat
predictable with the change in seasons and advances in meteorology.

Examples include:

Extreme temperatures (dangerous heat and cold)

Extreme precipitation (rain and snow)

Dangerous levels of noise

Dangerous levels of radiation

Pollution (air and chemical)

Unstable infrastructure

Biological hazards

Violent members of the public

Dangerous animals

Exposure routes are ways that chemicals enter your body. There are four main
routes of exposure:

BREATHING/INHALATION takes a chemical from your nose or mouth,

down your windpipe, and into your lungs. Some chemicals get trapped in
your lungs. Others leave when you breathe out. But many pass from your
lungs into your bloodstream.

SKIN/EYE CONTACT can cause anything from reddening or itching to

severe rashes, burns, loss of eyesight or even death.
SKIN ABSORPTION hazards pass through the skin on contact and enter
the bloodstream. Once in your bloodstream, chemicals can spread
throughout your body and cause injury or disease far away from the
original site of contact, Chemicals can also be absorbed through the
mucous membranes of the eye.

SWALLOWING/INGESTION takes a chemical from your mouth, down

your esophagus, and into your stomach. From your stomach, many
chemicals enter the intestines, where they can be absorbed into the
bloodstream and spread throughout your body. Damage can be done at any
point along the way.

Chemical materials exist in one of three basic physical forms.

SOLIDS, such as plastic, hold their shape. Each small granular particle of scouring powder also
holds its shape.

LJQUIDS take the shape of their container. Glue, water, and solvents are liquids.

GASES have no definite shape. They can be compressed, and they expand to fill containers. Air
is an example of a gas that is everywhere.

Chemicals in ALL physical forms can become airborne. ANY airborne chemical can be inhaled.

● Solids become airborne as fumes or dusts.

● Liquids become airborne as mists or vapors
● Gases become airborne if not contained

DUST is made up of tiny airborne particles formed as solids are broken up or

when granular or powdered solids are transferred as in grinding, sanding,
sweeping.

SMOKE is a mixture of fire gases and airborne dust or fume particles. It is

found in processes involving combustion or burning such as welding and
soldering.

FUME particles are formed by cooling vapors from operations where solids
have been melted as in welding and soldering.

VAPORS form above any exposed liquid surface as the liquid evaporates.
Both spray painting and brush painting apply liquid paint to a surface.
Decreasing and dipping operations also involve exposed liquid surfaces,

MISTS are formed as liquids are agitated or sprayed under pressure, such as
in spray painting.

GASES may be compressed for use in a particular operation such as welding

or they maybe a by-product of the process itself, as in starting engines.

The DEGREE OF HAZARD associated with exposure to health hazards depends on the
following:
TOXICITY OF THE CHEMICAL
. EXPOSURE ROUTE
Some chemicals are more toxic by one exposure route than by another. For example, onion juice
vapor irritates the eyes, but skin contact with onion juice produces little or no effect.

DOSAGE, which depends on —

- How MUCH you are exposed to each time;
- How LONG each exposure lasts, and
- How OFTEN you are exposed.

INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES, such as the following

- Work practices
- Age and size
- General physical and emotional health
- Allergies and sensitivities
- Level of exertion
- Combination of chemicals in the body, which depends on what
medications you are taking and whether or not you smoke tobacco or
drink alcoholic beverages.

Toxicology – is the science concerned with poisons and how they affect the body.

Factors which determine the toxicity of a substance

• Chemical composition
• Physical state
• Amount
• Concentration
• Particle size
• Route of absorption
• Presence of other poison

Occupation Hazards
• Duration Exposure
– Acute – exposure is very short (within minutes or a few days)
– Sub-acute – longer than (a) and up to 90 days
– Chronic – exposure for many days or over month or years
• Remedy
– Removal from further exposure
– Detoxification
– Supportive therapy – e.g. renal dialysis, oxygen, intravenious fluids, proper nutrition and
balance electrolytes in the body
Ultra-violet Radiation
 Electromagnetic radiation outside the range of 400-700 nanometers (nm) does not
significantly contribute to visual perception, and some may be harmful to ocular tissue
– UV-A – 315-400 nm (less damage to the body)
– UV-A – 280-315 nm
– UV-C – 100-280 nm
• UV-B and UV-C radiation are absorbed in the cornea and conjunctiva; sufficiently doses
will cause
• Keratoconjunctivitis
• UV keratitis
• Photokeratitis – painful effect known as snow blindness or to welders as flash burn
• Plain and irritation of the eye
• Excessive lacrimation
• Spasm of the eyelids
Treatment
• Rest and boric acid or liquid paraffin eye drops
 UV-B radiation- implicated in a variety of other conjunctival and corneal lesions
Infrared Radiation (IR)
• IR-A – 760/780-1400 nm
• IR-B – 1400/3000 nm
• IR-C – 3000 nm to 1mm
 Adverse biological effects
 Cataract
 Cornea- transmit IR-A and very suspectible to far infrared-C

Practical Aspect of Illumination

In occupation hygiene the subjective feeling of visual comfort, and goods
illumination (which is described in terms of the quantity and quality of the lighting) are always
considered

• Quantity – the amount of illumination on the task

• Quality – is the suitability of the illumination, for example the distribution of brightness
in a visual environment, the colour of light, its direction, diffusion and the degree of glare
Practical Aspect of Illumination
Lighting and the Eye
Objective of good lighting
• To make it easy to see the task
• To make seeing comfortable
• To maintain lighting equipment properly
Choice of kind of light
• Incandescent filament lamps
• Tubular fluorescent lamps
• Led light
Minimum Illumination Requirements

Lumens/sq ft
(foot candles) Examples

Casual
seeing 2 Walking along passage
10 Handling of large objects
Ordinary (not fine) work 15 Carpentering
Moderately fine work 30 Office work
Fine work 70 Machining/assembly work
Very fine work 150 Fine grinding work
Extremely fine or
complex 300 or more Watch making and repairing/assembling of computer circuit
Computer Vision Requirements
Definition
 Describes a group of eye and vision-related problems that result from prolonged
computer use
Most common symptoms associated with Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)
• eyestrain
• headaches
• blurred vision
• dry eyes
• neck and shoulder pain
These symptoms may be caused by:
• poor lighting
• glare on the computer screen
• improper viewing distance
• poor seating posture
• uncorrected vision problems
How is Computer Vision Syndrome diagnosed?
• Patient history
• Visual acuity measurements
• Refraction
• Testing how the eyes focus, move and work together
How is Computer Vision Syndrome treated?
• Eyeglasses
• Special lens designs
• Vision therapy

ANSI AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS INSTITUTE

-non governmental coordinator of voluntary standards development for a wide variety of
industries

ANSI 280.1-2005-AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR OPTHALMICS

ANSI 280.3-2001-ANSI FOR NON PRESCRIPTION SUNGLASSES AND FASHION
EYEWAER REQUIREMENT
ANSI 287.1-2003-ANSI FOR PRACTICE OF OCCUPATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL EYE
AND FACE PROTECTION
ANS/ASTM F803-2003-ANSI FOR EYE PROTECTORS FOR USE BY PLAYERS OF
SELECTED SPORTS
ANSI 280.12-2001-ANSI FOR FOCIMETERS

STANDARD COVERING EYE PROTECTION

AS/NZS 1336- Eye Protection for Industrial Environment
AS/NZS 4066- Eye Protection for Racquet Sports
AS/NZS 1337- Eye Protection for Industrial Application
AS/NZS 1338- Filters for Eye Protectors

Classification of Lasers according to BS EN 60852

Class 1-SAFE
Class 2-Low power
Class 3A-Low medium power
Class 3b-Medium power
Class 4-High power

LABOR LAWS-It refers to that body of rules and doctrines that define state policies on labor and
employment
LABOR POLICIES- Guidelines that defines state policies regarding labor and employment
LABOR STANDARD LAW-Prescribe minimum terms and conditions of employment
LABOR RELATION LAW- Sets the legal parameters whereby workers may undertake concerted
activities

LABOR CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES

Book One- Pre-employment

Book Two- Human Resource
Book Three- Conditions of Employment
Book Four- Health, Safety and Social Benefits
Book Five-Labor Relations
Book Six- Post Employment
Book Seven-Transitory and Final Provisions

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS BOOK

RULE 1000-General Provision
RULE 1040-Health and Safety Committee
RULE 1080-Personal Protective Equipment
RULE 1090-Hazardous Material
RULE 1070-Occupational Health and Environmental Control

PD 4420-Book 4 Labor Code of the Philippines

-Health and Safety Social Welfare Benefits
Art. 162-Safety and Health Standard
Art. 163-Research
Art. 164-Training Program
Art. 165-Administration of safety and Health Laws

RULE 1967.01-Preemployment and Preplacement Physical Examination

CLASS A-Physically Fit to Work
CLASS B-Physically Underdeveloped and Correctible Defects
CLASS C-Employable but Owing to Certain Conditions
CLASS D-Unfit to Work

VISUAL REQUIREMENTS IN THE WORKPLACE

GOOD VISUAL ACUITY AT NEAR
-computer workers
-desktop workers
-assembly line
-laboratory

GOOD VISUAL ACUITY INTERMEDIATE WITH 100% CONTRAST

-machine operators
-pilots
-librarians
-receptionist

GOOD VISUAL ACUITY AT FAR

-military personnel
-traffic personnel
-engineer
-seaman

GOOD VISUAL ACUITY IN 2 DISTANCES WITH 100% CONTRAST

-bank tellers
-teachers
-pharmacist
GOOD VISUAL ACUITY AT ALL DISTANCES
-managers
-supervisors
-engineers
-construction workers

CONTRAST
-architects
-camera man
-painters
-visual artist

COLOR VISION
-driver
-seaman
-painters
-interior design
-achitects
-electrician
-textile workers
-computer electronic technician

BINOCULAR VISION
-drivers
-pilots
-surgeon
-seaman
-machine operators
-moving vehicle operators

OCULAR EMERGENCIES AND OCCUPATION

1. CHEMICAL BURN
-chemist
-laboratory workers
-pest control workers & painters

2. FOREIGN BODIES
-construction workers
-laborers
-farmers
-drivers

3. TRAUMATIC EYE INJURY

-drivers
-construction workers
-machine operators
-factory workers
-laborer
-miners

TINTS FOR PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS

1. ALBINISM-standard pink
2. DEVELOPING CATARACT-photogray
3. POSTVITRECTOMY-sunwear
4. MILD GLARE/HAZE-photogray/photosun
5. ANIRIDIA, PHOTOPHOBIA, EXTREME GLARE-photogray
6. GLAUCOMA-yellow filters
7. MACULAR DEGENERATION, RP, OPTIC ATROPHY, CORNEAL DYSTROPHY-red,
amber, yellow