Workplace

Hazards and their

ill effects
 Occupational Health (ILO)
 Promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of
physical, mental and social well-being of workers of all
occupation
 Prevention among its workers of departures from health
caused by their working conditions
 Protection of workers in their employment from risks
usually from factors adverse to health
 Placing and maintenance of the worker in an occupational
environment adapted to his /her physiological ability
 Potentially
Exposure Harmful Agents

Normal / Altered
Response Body Response

Homeostasis or
Result Disease
Physical Agents
 sources of energy that may cause injury or disease
Examples:
 noise, vibration, radiation,
 defective illumination,
 temperature extremes
 electromagnetic fields
EFFFECTS OF PHYSICAL AGENTS

Cause Effect
 Noise  Temporary or
permanent hearing loss
 Motion Sickness

 Vibration  Raynauld’s Syndrome

 Heat exhaustion

 Temperature  Heat stroke

CHEMICAL AGENTS
 a solid or liquid or gaseous substance that produces an effect
on a living organism by acting on the body tissue, or in an
environment by interacting with air, water, and / or soil.
 substance that produces change the virtue of its chemical
composition and its effects on living tissues and organisms

 Examples:
 dusts,
gases, vapors,
 fumes, mists,
Categories of Chemical Agents
 Blood Agents- include cyanogen, chloride,
hydrogen, cyanide, and arsine. These chemicals
prevent a person’s blood and tissue cells from
accepting oxygen and cause a rapid failure.
Choking Agents- include phosgene, chlorine, chloropin,
and disphosgene. These chemicals are absorbed through a
person’s lungs and cause to building of fluids, leading to
choking and eventually to death
 Blisters Agents-include nitrogen mustard, and lewisite.
These chemicals burn a person’s mucous membrance skin
and eyes and cause large blisters on any skin that is
exposed. When a person inhales these chemicals as a
vapor, the chemicals have the ability to burn a person’s
windpipe and lungs leading to death
 Nerve Agents – include sarin, tabun, soman and VX.
These chemicals cause a muscle paralysis- including
paralysis of a person’s diaphragm and heart. They also
cause seizures and loss f body control. Nerve Agents are
the most deadly chemical agents and amounts the size of
a small drop comprises a lethal dose that can cause
almost immediate death
 BIOLOGICAL AGENTS
 Also called bio-agent, biological threat agent, biological
warfare agent, biological weapon, or bio weapon
 Is a bacterium , virus, protozoan, parasite, or, fungus that
can be used purposefully as a weapon in bioterrorism, or
biological warfare
 Is the use biological toxins or infectious agents such as
bacteria, viruses, fungi with intent to kill or incapacitate
humans, animals or plant as an act of war.
 They have the ability to adversely affect human health in a
variety of ways.
 These organisms are widespread in the natural
environment; they are found in water , soil , plants, and
animals.

 Examples:
 viruses, bacteria, fungi,
 parasites
Diseases caused of Biological Agents

Anthrax – is an acute disease caused by performing by a

spore-forming bacterium called bacillus anthracis. It is
generally acquired following contact with anthrax-infected
animals or anthrax-contaminated animal products
Avian Flu- Avian influenza is a highly contagious disease
of bird in which is currently epidemic amongst poultry in
Asia.
Hantavirus – are transmitted to humans from the dried
dropping , urine, or saliva of mice and rats. Animal
laboratory workers and persons working in infested
buildings are at increased risk
LACK OF ERGONOMIC
PRINCIPLES
 exhaustive physical exertions, excessive
 standing, improper motions, lifting heavy
 load, job monotony, etc.
 Industrial Toxicology
Toxicolgy- the study of poisons
the branch of the science concern with the nature, effects,
and detection of poisons
Toxicity -inherent poisonous potency
the quality of being toxic or
poisonous
Hazard risk of danger in poisoning
any source of potential damage, harm or
adverse health effects on something or someone
Dose - amount of substance biologically
available
HAZARD = TOXICITY x EXPOSURE

Acute : high dose exposure

ex. Pesticide poisoning

Chronic : low dose exposure

ex. Lead poisoning
Inhalation
 The action of inhaling or breathing in

 Most important route

 Factors affecting absorption:
 a. water solubility
 b. particle size: < 0.5 μm
 c. Defense mechanisms
 Skin Contact:
 absorption is faster through abraded or inflamed skin
 Ingestion
 usually from contaminated hands
 Gastrointestinal:  Feces
 Kidney:  Urine
 Lungs:  Exhaled breathe
 Secretory structures  Sweat glands
 Breast milk
 Dose-response relationship:
-increasing concentration
response or effect in host

LD50 dose lethal to 50% of test animals

50%
Response
Dose
 DISEASES THAT MAY
ARISE FROM
CHEMICAL EXPOSURE
IN THE WORKPLACE
 Causative Agents Industry Disease

Mercury, Lead Battery. Chronic renal failure

Cadmium Chemical Ind, Renal stones

Battery Mfg. (Cadmium)
Nephrotic Syndrome
(Mercury)

Chloroform Solvents, chemical Acute renal

Carbon tetrachloride industries Failure

Ethylene glycol Solvent, pesticide Chronic renal

Carbon disulfide Solvent, pesticide Failure

Causative Agents Industry Disease

Mining, sandblasting Mining, sandblasting

Inorganic dusts Pneumoconiosis Pneumoconiosis
Construction (silicosis, Construction (silicosis,
Coal-workers Coal-workers
pneumoconiosis)

Hemp, flax Textile, Cotton

Byssinosis

Bagasse Agriculture Farmer's lung,

Bagassosis
Causative Agents Industry Disease
Chemical process Irritation
Solvents,
industries, Pulp and inflammation
Ammonia,
Paper production, Edema
Formaldehyde Laboratory
Plastics, Asthma
Diisocyanates,
Varnish Platinum jewelers,
Electroplating

Nickel, Arsenic Pigments,plating Cancer

Chromium Metal Chromium Metal

refining refining
Causative Agents Industry Disease

Allergic
Plastics epoxies Plastic, Varnish Contact
Dermatitis

Sodium Hydroxide Chemical industry Irritant

Contact
Acids Laundering Dermatitis

Burns, Irritation
Cement Construction, . Contact
Cement mfg Dermatitis
 Causative Agents Industry Disease

Cutting oils Machine-tool Acne

Grease Operators

Chlorinated Chemical Chloracne

Hydrocarbons Processes

Arsenic, Tar Petroleum refinery Skin Cancer

Polycyclic Asphalt workers

Hydrocarbons
 Causative Agents Industry Disease

Lead Battery manufacturing Anemia

Lead Smelting

Benzene Solvent Aplastic

Soap manufacturing anemia

Arsine Gas Chemical industries Destruction of red blood

cells
 Causative Agents Industry Disease
Carbon Cleaning Fluids Acute liver

Tetra chloride Dry cleaners toxicity

Arsenic Smelting, Insecticides Cirrhosis

Chlorinated Chemical industry

Hydrocarbons

Epoxy resins Rubber, synthetic Acute

obstructive fabrics hepatitis

Vinyl chloride Plastics, Vinyl chloride Liver Cancer

Aflatoxins monomer manufacturing

 OCCUPATIONAL
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES

Causative Agents Industry Disease

Lead, Cadmium (?) Battery mfg. Hypertension
Recycling
Carbon disulfide Degreasing Dry Atherosclerosis
Cleaning
Fluorocarbons Refrigeration Arrhythmias
Trichloroethylene solvent workers
Nitrates Explosives Angina, Myocardial
Infarction
 Organic Solvent
-it can use as raw materials in industrial and consumer
products
-selective dissolution of one substance from a mixture
-Reduction of the viscosity of another substance
 Occupational Exposure
* Pain manufacture and use
* metal degreasing
*plastic and fiberglass production
* Printing
* Dry Cleaning
General Effects
Central Nervous System Effects
 Acute – significant inhalation
exposure
 Can be reversible
 Symptoms
 • Dizziness, drowsiness
 • Nausea, headache
 • Gait disturbances,
incoordination
 • Euphoria, seizures, coma,
death
Liver effects
 Acute hepatic  Chronic hepatic
damage damage
 – From short term, high  From low dose, long
 dose exposure  term exposure

– May result to Effects include

extensive liver  • Fatty liver

damage  • Cirrhosis/fibrosis
 Symptoms: anorexia,  • Cholestasis
 vomiting, nausea,  • Tumors
 jaundice, coma and
 death
Kidney effects
 Acute renal damage:  Chronic renal damage
 From short term, high  From low dose, long
 dose exposure  term exposure
 Abrupt decline in  Glomerular injury –

kidney function minimal to proliferative

 Organic solvents damage
usually implicated  May result to end stage
 • CCl4, chloroform, renal disease
 TCE, ethylene glycol
 Peripheral Nervous System Effects
 Responsible for carrying sensory information to
 CNS and motor impulses
 Peripheral neuropathies
 Polyneuropathies
 Tingling and numbness in the extremities
 Muscle weakness and possible atrophy
 Slowly reversible
 Chemicals implicated
 n-Hexane
 methyl n-butyl ketone
Central Nervous System Effects
 Responsible for movement, control of body
 function, memory, behavior

Effects can be debilitating

 Mood changes, irritability
 Depression, memory impairment, difficulty
 concentrating
 Sleep disorders, personality changes
CARDIOVASCULAR
EFFECTS
Signs/ symptoms:
 Cardiac arrythmias (irregular heart beat)
 chest discomfort
 Sometimes may result to “sudden death” in
otherwise normal healthy individual
 Mechanism of effect ? lowering the threshold for
response of the heart muscle
 Implicated chemicals
 Toluene, benzene, TCA, TCE
 EFFECTS TO THE LUNGS
Signs/Symptoms:
 Coughing, gagging, wheezing
 Pneumonitis, hypoxemia
 Inflammation, destruction of pulmonary
 surfactant
 Organic Solvents
 Pre employment
Clearances from allergologist, neurologist, nephrologist, etc.

 Biological
monitoring
- Urine metabolites

 Specialtest for
 Kidneys
 Liver
 Blood
Lead
 Uses

– Manufacture of: storage battery

pipe and cable sheating
– Pigment and stabilizers

– Glazing material, radiation shield,

ammunition, soldering, automobile radiator

 Sources of Exposure
1. Environmental
 vehicular exhaust
 smoking (lesser extent)
 20 cigarettes/ day = intake of 1-5 ug
 industrial emission
 lead-glazed earthen wares
 lead in food (150 ug/ day)
 lead in water (10 ug/ day)
2. Occupational
 a. smelters
 b. welders
 c. battery workers
 d. radiator repairmen
 e. scrapers of lead paint
 f. lead burning apparatus
Lead
 Hematologic Effects
Anemia
Signs and Symptoms :
Mild anemia- fatigue and shortness of breath
Severe anemia
 dizziness
 headache
irritability
 difficulty in concentration
 Neurologic Effects
Central Nervous System
1. Lead encephalopathy- usually in children due to
brain swelling
Signs and Symptoms- ataxia, stupor, coma,
convulsions, death
Peripheral Nervous System-selective involvement
of motor neurons with little or no sensory
abnormalities
 Signs and symptoms:
 decreased motor nerve conduction velocity
 aching and tenderness of muscles and join
 Renal effects
Signs and symptoms :
protein in urine,
sugar in urine,
hypertension
 Gastrointestinal Effects:
 Signs and symptoms:
 loss of appetite & digestive disturbances,
 epigastric discomfort after eating, constipation, lead colic
 Cardiovascular Effects
Hypertension
 Reproductive Effects
 Males
 1. reduced fertility
 Females
 1. reduced fertility
 2. spontaneous abortion
 3. behavioral or developmental disabilities
 Other Effects
 Burton Line- indicative of lead exposure » Poor dental
hygiene
Workplace Physical Hazards
 Noise
 Extremes of Temperature
 Inadequate Illumination
 Radiation (Ionizing and Non-ionizing)
 Vibration
 Noise
 Unwanted Sound
Effect of noise
Intensity
Duration
Frequency
 Approximate Decibel Level
Decibels (dB) Examples
0 The quietest sound you can hear
30 Whisper, quiet library
60 Normal conversation, sewing machine, typewriter
70-80 Television
90 Lawnmower, shop tools, truck traffic, 8hrs/day is the maximum
exposure
100 Chainsaw, pneumatic drill, snowmobile
115 Sandblasting, loud rock concert, auto horn
140 Gun muzzle blast, jet engine
Causes pain
Permissible Exposure
Duration/day (hrs) Sound Level (dB)
8 90
6 92
4 95
3 97
2 100
1½ 102
1 105
½ 110
¼ or less 115
 Harmful Effects of Noise
 Hearing Damage
 Stress-related disorders

* interfere with work performance

* disturbs relaxation and sleep
Hypertension
Hyperacidity
Palpitations
Hearing Damage From Noise Exposure
 Acute:comes from loud noise such as blasts
may result to damages of eardrum
from140-160 decibels

 Chronic: due to long exposure to hazardous

noise levels
Type of Noise-induced hearing loss
Temporary threshold shift (auditory fatigue)
 have a result of temporary loss of hearing acuity exposure to
loud noise

Permanent threshold shift

 Irreversible loss of hearing
 Difficulty in understanding spoken words
 Familiar sounds are muffled
 Frequent tinnitus
Early Sign of Hearing Loss
 May result in difficulty in understanding spoken
words in a noisy environment
 Need to be near or look at the person speaking to
help understands words
 Familiar sounds are muffled
 Complaints that people do not speak clearly
 Ringing noises in the ear
Vibration
 Is physical factor which affects man by
transmission of mechanical energy from
oscillating sources

 Types

wholebody vibration
Segmental vibration
 Potential Occupational Exposures
WHOLEBODY VIBRATION
*bus drivers, truck drivers, heavy equipment operators, farm
vehicle and tractor operators, railroads ( engineers,
conductors, truck repair workers ), forklift operators

Hand-Arm Vibration ( Segmental Vibration )

 Chainsawyers, mining, metal extrusion operators, wood
products , manufacturing
 -
 Effects of Whole Body Vibration
 Can lead to general stressor
changes in the central nervous system
difficulty in maintaining steady posture
changes in bone structure

Effects of Segmental Vibration

-localized stressor to the fingers and hands
-Hands-arm Vibration Syndrome
Prevention of Vibration Injuries
Administrative measures:
*have information and proper training of workers
*have a proper schedule
• Minimize smoking and use of drugs after circulation
 Use personal protection such as dampening gloves

Wear adequate clothing

 Medical Surveillance
 Pre-employment and Periodic exams
 clearances from an otarynglogist, neuropathologist,
therapist, gynecolgist, and radiologist

 Special Test
-general blood test
-x-ray of the hand bones / spinal column
 Inadequate Illumination
 When it’s comes to quantity, it depends on task too much
or too little

 When it’s comes to quality , shadows , sillhouttes ,,

overcasts , reflection , glares
 Recommended Illumination Levels

Area of Operation Might Lighting Level (lux)

Cutting Cloth Greater than or equal to 2000

Fine machining
Transcibing handwriting 1000
Drafting
Welding 500
First Aid Station
Lunch Room 300
Rest Room
Recommended Illumination Levels at VDT
Workstations

Working Conditions Illumination Level (lux)

Conversational Tasks
well printed source documents 300
Conversational Tasks
reduced readability of source 300-400
documents

Date Entry Tasks 500-700

Inadequate Illumination
Usual Complaint:

 Visual Fatigue
 Double vision
 Headaches
 Painful Irritation
 Lacrimation
 conjunctivitis
Occupational Effects of Visual Fatigue
 Loss of productivity
 Increased Accident rate
 More Mistakes
 Lowering Quality
 Visual complaints
 Heat
 Generation of heat from

 Body metabolism Physical activities Radiation from
hot surfaces Thermoregulation:

 Heat gained by Body = Heat lost

Disorder Related to Heat Stress
Disorders Causes Main Clinical Treatment Prognosis
features
Millaria rubra Malfunction of Puritic rash Symptomatic Good
sweet glands
Heat Cramps Loss of water and Cramps in limbs Rest, fluids with Complete
electrolytes added salt recovery
Heat Physical exertion, Dizziness, Rest, fluid with Complete
Exhaustion loss of water, blurring of added salt recovery usual
electrolytes vision with cold cooling in well
and clammy skin ventilated
Heat stroke Failure of Convulsions, Stripping down High mortality
temperature muscle twitch, and vigorious sequelae; poor
contol center in delirum with hot cooling with ice memory and
brain and dry skin baths concentration;he
adache
Recommendations for Working in hot
conditions
 Acclimatization is necessary
 Encourage drinking small amount of fluids at
frequent intervals
 The greater the heat and physical load, the more
frequent the cooling periods
 The drinks should be available close to the worker
 Proper clothing should be worn
 Cold stress
Occupational Stress
• Cooling room workers
• Dry ice workers
• Ice makers
• Out –of –door workers during cold weather
• Cold storage workers
Cold Induced Injuries
Frosbite
 fingers, toes, cheeks, nose and ears are most
susceptible
 Characterized by reddening of the skin become
blush later on, localized burning pain, and
numbness
 Trench foot
(Immersion Foot)
*Result from prolonged exposure of the lower
extremities to cold 32º F to 50º F (0º C to 10º C )
and moisture
• No neurovascular damage and tissue anoxia
follows
• Characterized by numbness , painful
paresthesias, followed by leg cramps
vesiculation, ulceration and gangrene
General Hypothermia
 Results from being in cold weather or submerged
in cold water
 Characterized by dizziness, fatigue
 Can lead to unconsciousness and death
Control Measures
 Provide adequate clothing including insulated
gloves , footwear and headgear
 Build barriers around the worksite to block the
wind
 Supply workers with warm beverages
 Radiation: Non-ionizing and Ionizing
Radiation Sources Effects

Non –ionizing Sunlight, welding Arc flash erythema

1. Ultraviolet lasers Photosensitivity

2. microwaves, Lens damage

Burns Radar, ovens

3. Infrared Glass blowning, Can interfere w/

Furnaces pacemaker and
medical devices
cataracts
X-rays Cancer, cataracts,
Ionizing radiation Gamma rays sterility, birth , defects
Biological Hazards
 biological nature which has the potential to cause
harm
 Viruses, bacteria , dangerous plants and animals
( parasites/ insects ) or harmful by-products
Tuberculosis
 Is a chronic bacterial infection that is
characterized by the formation of granulomas in
infected tissues

 Etiology
 Mycobacterium tuberculosis
 Transmission
 Respiratory secretions expelled during coughing,
sneezing, and vocalizing
 Bacilli remain airbone for long perids
 Infectiousness depends on the number of
organisms in the expecorated sputum and the
extent of pre-existing pulmonary disease
 Clinical Manifestations
 Has a predilection for the apical posterior
segments of the upper lobes of the lungs

 Symptoms :
 weight loss
 Low grade afternoon fever
 Persistent cough
 Blood-streaked sputum

--Pulmonary cavities may persist even though

effective chemotherapy has resulted in apparent cure
 Tetanus
 A neurological disorder characterized by increased
muscle tone and spasms , that is caused by
tetanospasmin( a protein toxic elaborated by the
organism ( clostridium tetani)
 It arises from the contamination of wounds with
clostridium spores
Clinical manifestations
 Increased tone in the masseter muscle (lock jaw)Sustained
contraction of the facial muscles (risus sardonius ) and
back muscles (opisthotonus)

 Prevention:
 Active immunization with teteanus toxoid
 Careful wound management
HIV/ Aids
 acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) –
is a chronic and fatal illness which affects the
body’s immune system making it unable to combat
infection
 -it caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus
(HIV)
 to be transmitted , HIV must enter the bloodstream of
another person in large enough quantities to infect them

 HIV has been detected in infectious quantities in:

 Blood
 Semen
 Vaginal fluids
 Breast milk
 HIV can enter the bloodstream
 During unprotected sex

 Through transfusion of blood or blood products

 From an HIV positive mother to her baby

Course of HIV Infection
Infection

Development of antibodies (seroconversion)

Asymptomatic Carrier state

Persistent generalized lymphadenopathy and non-life threatening

conditions

Continuing Recovery? Continuing AIDS and

Asymptomatic illness other life state
threatening conditions
DEATH
 HIV Testing
 Detects presence of antibody to HIV in blood

 Two screening tests :

 ELIZA ( enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay)

 Particle agglunation (PA)
Prevention of HIV Infection
 Abstience
 Be faithful
 Condom
 Do not inject drugs
 Philippine National AIDS Prevention And Control
Act of 1998

• Basic Information on HIV/AIDS

• Non- mandatory testing
• Confidentiality of results
• Prohibition of discrimination and termination
from work
 ERGONOMICS
- The scientific discipline concerned with the
understanding of the interactions among human and
other elements of a system , and the profession that
applies theory, principles , data and methods to
design in order to optimize human well-being and
over all system performance
Goals

Make work safe and humane

Increase human efficiency
Create human well being
Ergonomic Risk Factor
 Posture
 Awkward posture
 Static posture
Ergonomics Risk Factors
 Forceful
exertions
 Overcome weight , resistance, inertia
 Lift
 Push
 Pull
 Carry
 Movement

extreme range of motion

-twisting
-bending
Repetitive
same motion pattern
short cycle time
Effects of ergonomomics stresses
 Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs)
-secondary to repetitive motion, improper posture
fatigue
Musculoskeletal disorders:
 Carpal tunnel syndrome
 Neck-shoulder pain
 Low back pain
 Tendinitis
Cognitive Demands
 Vigilance or Sustained Alertness
signals , display controls, reaction
 Perceive and interpret information

visual , hearing , tactile

 Memory
Job Design
 Task invariability
 Lack of control
 Lack of feedback
 Overqualified or underqualified
Organizational Climate
 Work policy
shiftwork, machine paced, inadequate breaks,
unrealistic quotas
 Unfavorable social environment

support from management and co-workers

 Lack of technical support

skill development, training and re-training

 Workplace Dimension
 Fit

 Reach

 See
Environmental Factors
 Heat
 Inadequate lighting
 Vibration
 Noise
Recognition of ergonomic risk factors
 Checklist Survey
document hazards
 Walkthrough Survey

observe
talk with workers
do quick fix
 Medical and safety records

trends in accidents and diseases

 Worker Complaints
 Work practices

excessive overtime
 Performance report
 Absenteeism, turnover
 Evaluation of Ergonomic risk Factors
 Characterize Hazards
duration f exposure
magnitude of exposure
recovery time
 Job Analysis

Collect data to identify the stress

Establish what the worker is doing
Establish how the worker is doing the task
Establish how much work is being done
Establish interaction with work environment
 Methods of data collection

observation
questionnaire
video camera recording
photography
physiologic measures
 Select intervention

 Objectives

reduce magnitude of risk factors

reduce duration f exposure

Lengthen recovery time

Use other muscle grups and joints
improve poisture
 Select intervention that are:

Appropriate
Timely
Acceptable
 Interventions
 Administrative Control Management/ Personnel
Methods

 Job rotation
 Work enlargement
 Rest breaks
 Motion economy
 Training and education
 Engineering control workplace modification

 Work location and dimensions

 Tool design
 Mechanical aids
 Essentials in the Diagnosis and
management f occupational Disease
What to do: What not to do:
 Research  Do not immediately assume
the facts
the cause and effect of
exposure and symptoms
 Do not transmit anxiety or
ignorance to the patient
 Obtain more information
 Investigate and enlist  do not give the person
the help of patient, work restriction “
family, expert avoid all hazards”
Monitoring
 Systematic , continuous , repetitive health-related
activities that should lead to corrective action

Types:
 ambient or Environmental
 Biologic
 Medical surveillance
 Biologic monitoring
- measurement of changes in composition of
body fluids, tissue, expired air to determine
absorption of potentially hazardous material
Medical surveillance
-- examination to determine worker’s response to
the hazard
-- clinical examination and other laboratory test