Occupational Diseases
by
Dr. Salim Al-Sawai
Head of Occupational HEALTH
What Is An Occupational Illness?
Any work-related illness mainly caused or
aggravated by exposure to Health hazards
at work environment.
It must arise out of or in the course of employment.
As a result of R.exp/Time
Health hazards
• Physical e.g. Noise, heat, cold, radiation,
vibration
• Chemical e.g. asbestos, gases, vapours, lead
• Biological e.g bacteria, viruses etc
• Ergonimical-work station design- RSI
• Psychological- Stress
When an illness is work related?
• Steps before diagnosis
1st step
• Occupational History
- Job description & tasks
-Is causal agents/conditions present at work?
-Was employee exposed?
- List of previous employment & exposures
-Is exposure sufficient to cause illness?
- Duration and frequency of exposure
- Is there any non-occupational exposure?
- Family history- genetic
- Past medical history
- Second job and hobbies
2nd step
• Clinical examination
3rd step
• Investigations
-Biological tests
-Radiological
- Physiological
• Has an illness indeed occurred?
• Is the illness work-related i.e. attributable
mainly to occupational exposure?
4th step
• Site visit and exposure monitoring.
Combination of steps from 1-4 would help
you to make decision.
Classification of Occupational
Illnesses
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
Skin Diseases and Disorders:
Respiratory Conditions due to Dust or Toxic Agents
Poisoning (Systemic Effects of Toxic Materials)
Upper limbs and neck disorders
Back problems and lower limbs disorders
Cancers and Malignant Blood Diseases
Diseases due to mental stress
Noise Induced Hearing Loss
Other Illnesses and Disorders
1. Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
Malaria, food poisoning, infectious hepatitis, legionnaire's disease
2. Skin Diseases and Disorders
Contact dermatitis, allergic dermatitis, rash caused by primary irritants and
sensitizers or poisonous plants, chrome ulcers
3. Respiratory Conditions due to Dust or Toxic Agents
Silicosis, Asbestosis, pneumoconiosis, allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis due
to chemicals, dusts, gases, or fumes.
4. Poisoning (Systemic Effects of Toxic Materials)
Poisoning by metals e.g lead, mercury, arsenic, or other metals
Poisoning by gas e.g carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide, or other gases
Poisoning by solvents
Poisoning by pesticides
Poisoning by other chemicals such as formaldehyde, plastics and resins.
5. Upper limb and neck disorders e.g Mouse disease
6. Back problems and lower limbs disorder
7. Cancers and Malignant Blood Diseases
Mesothelioma; bladder cancer; leukemia
8. Disorders due to Mental Stress
Tension headache, depression.
9. Noise Induced Hearing Loss
10. Other Illnesses and Disorders
Eye conditions due to dust and toxic agents e.g arc eye
Heat problems and radiation.
Who should report OH illness
• Employee
• Line manager/supervisor
• Medical
Why to report
• Intervention/ corrective actions
• Morals
• Legislation
• Litigation potential
• Research and epidemiology
• Costs (sickness absence etc)
• Reputation
Benefits of occupational illness early
reporting
 Early detection and intervention Prevention
 Gain financially through-Reduced costs e.g insurance
premium , reduced compensation, reduced
absenteeism due to sickness
 High moral  Increased productivity
 Excellent reputation, increased public image- more
competitive in the market
 Prevents premature incapacity for work, reduces early
retirement pension costs
Disadvantages of ignoring and not
reporting
Be aware of the hidden costs of OI
 Costs to train a new worker,
 Repair damaged property
 Investigate the accident and implement corrective action
 Maintain insurance coverage(High premium)
 Costs related to schedule delays and poorer customer relations
 More staff falling sick and increased absenteeism
 lower morale and high staff turn over
Do we need to investigate occupational
illness Y/N
Rule out/confirm WR
Identify root causes
Assess effectiveness of existing
controls
Remedial actions
How to prevent OI & your role
Controls
 HRA-identify hazards, assess and put
controls(Engineering controls, admin controls, PPE)
 Education and training
 Health care facilities
 Medicals check
 Monitoring of health hazards in the work environment
 Encourage early reporting
Recommendations
Raise health awareness
Encourage reporting
Investigate all cases
Report to local authorities
Occupational injury
• Work injury is a case which results from a work
incident or from exposure involving a single event.
Single-incident concept!
• Can be external or/and internal
• Examples
- Cut, amputation, laceration, bruise
- Fractures
- Strains and sprains
- Back disorders due to instantaneous event e.g from
slips, trips, sudden movements.
- Deafness from explosion
- Animal and insects bites except venomous
- Burns- contact with hot or cold surfaces,
chemical burns or electric burns.