During National CPR & AED Awareness Week, there is, of course, a major focus on training in these critical lifesaving skills, but there are many other types of workplace safety one should consider.
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Occupational health is of paramount importance at the workplace. In order to ensure optimum health of workers, it is essential to provide a workplace bereft of pollutants, radioactive and cancerous substances, and physical dangers like live wires and faulty equipment. Work sites should never suffer from a lack of proper safety devices like harnesses, PPE, or proper gear.
Hazardous material like asbestos, paints with a high concentration of lead, wood dust, air-borne cement and dust particles, and organic solvents affect employee health in several ways. Exposure to harmful chemicals and effluents can cause cancer, skin infections, and hamper the functioning of vital organs and nervous systems. It can even cause genetic defects, affecting future generations.
For optimum occupational health, it is important to identify, isolate and minimize health hazards. Hazards can be identified by physical inspection of work processes, analysis of the tasks involved, a study of previous work-related accidents, and an investigation into previous complaints regarding illnesses and afflictions.
Let’s look at major industrial health hazards and their effects on human health.
Health Hazards at Workplace
There are several air-borne hazards lurking in the workplace. They cause a number of physical disorders and illnesses in humans. A dangerous aspect of air-borne pollutants is that they are rarely visible to the naked eye and are never immediately obvious. In addition to air-borne hazards there are other pollutants as well which are equally harmful.
Asbestos, lead paints, solvents and preservatives used in timber treatment all pose a danger to health. Flying dust and particles from construction activities are also harmful.
Asbestos
Asbestos is commonly used in construction sites and activities. Asbestos kills more workers than any other health-related cause in the workplace. All types of asbestos are dangerous and cause the most harm when inhaled as fibers disguised as fine dust. They cause asbestosis and lung cancer on prolonged exposure.
Workers should exercise due caution while working with asbestos. The work area should ideally be sealed off to minimize exposure to others. Asbestos-based material should be kept damp while handling. Respirators with good filters help prevent inhalation of asbestos dust. A half-facepiece respirator with a class P1 filter is advised. Asbestos-based materials do not pose much risk if left alone but when they are cut, powdered or crushed, asbestos fibers are released which are very dangerous to humans if inhaled. Workers should be careful not to drop or break asbestos sheets.
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Lead Paints
Lead pigments present in paints and binders are very harmful to humans. They are also present in leaded pipes, crystals, solders and ceramics. Lead if ingested can cause great harm. Lead poisoning occurs through swallowing of paint residue having lead pigments or inhalation of lead-heavy fumes. Such fumes are often caused by burning of aged timber weatherboards that contain lead residue.
Lead poisoning can have cumulative effects on our system. The body cannot flush out the lead buildup in our body and if left untreated it can cause grave danger. Increased blood pressure, nerve disorder, muscle atrophy, and hearing and vision impairment are some of the symptoms of lead poisoning. It also leads to fatigue, poor sleep patterns and mood disorders. In extreme cases, lead poisoning may lead to brain damage and death.
Presence of lead in paint work, timber or other materials should be checked and ascertained scientifically. The residue or debris left from leaded paints should be prevented from becoming air-borne. Dust masks prevent inhalation of dust and debris. All the waste should be collected properly in sealed containers and safely disposed. Recommended safety practices should be strictly adhered to.
Solvents
Solvents are commonly found in most industrial work sites and are very dangerous to health. The extent of danger depends on the type of solvents used and on the period and intensity of exposure. Common sources of solvents in work sites include thinners, coatings and chemicals used for treating timber. They are also found in paints, varnishes and industrial cleaning agents. Turpentine, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons and esters are some of the commonly used solvents. Alcohols are also used for industrial purposes. There are many more chemicals which find a variety of use in industries as solvents.
Health hazards associated with exposure to solvents include toxicity to the nervous system, narcosis, reproductive and respiratory disorders, kidney and liver diseases, and skin infections like dermatitis and cancer.
Solvents should be stored in sealed and labeled containers. Use of respirators and protective gear is highly recommended. There should be established procedures for emergency evacuation or exit in case of solvent spills or fires.
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Gas leaks causing emission of Carbon Monoxide into the atmosphere results in many fatalities. Such accidents are common when installation of gas pipes or other related works are being carried out by workers. This is a major risk in construction industry. CO is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and toxic gas produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels like wood, coal, gas or oil. CO affects the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells, thus affecting the functioning of cells, tissues and organs.
Site work using gas-powered equipment or machinery, remodeling or renovation work in existing buildings and work on gas installations have all resulted in several cases of Carbon Monoxide gas leaks.
Early effects of CO poisoning can be mistaken for food poisoning. Early symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea and breathlessness. Confusion and memory loss are other symptoms. High levels of poisoning leads to ataxia, seizures, vertigo, loss of consciousness and even death.
Use of gas-fired appliances in work sites should be monitored and regulated. Insufficiently ventilated LPG cookers and heaters, and leaking LPG cylinders cause CO to escape into the atmosphere. When renovation or refurbishment is being carried out, a proper study should be made into the impact on the existing gas-fired appliances and gas pipe installations. Well-aware and trained professionals help carry out the work safely and securely.
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Labor-intensive industries and work sites result in musculoskeletal disorders. Manual handling involving lifting, pulling, pushing and carrying cause injuries and have harmful effects on muscles, joints and spinal discs. Repetitive tasks and less-than-ideal body posture during work activities cause long-term bodily harm. Repetitive vibratory work also results in injuries and disorders. Hand-arm vibration syndrome is a by-product of extended exposure to a job which involves regular work with vibrating tools or machinery. Jobs that involve working at a height result in several fatalities and grievous injuries due to slips and falls. This is an omnipresent danger in high-risk jobs in construction, and oil and gas industry. Comprehensive safety and security measures should be adopted for fall protection.
Health and safety regulations clearly specify the manner in which the associated risk can be assessed, managed and controlled. Proper work practices, protective gear and timely medical checkups ensure workers are protected from the harmful effects.
Noise Pollution
Noise pollution is rampant in most industrial work sites. Prolonged exposure to loud noise levels cause deafness or tinnitus. Tinnitus is a condition in which the worker experiences a permanent ringing tone in the ears. Ear-plugs, ear muffs and canal caps provide protection to ears and ear drums from high decibel levels. Proper safety practices considerably reduce the health hazards posed by exposure to loud or high noise levels.
Conclusion
The dangers and health hazards in workplaces and industrial sites are many and varied. Following comprehensive safety and health practices help ensures worker welfare. The government and the industry should work together to encourage compliance and better safety practices in workplaces. A worker-first approach on the part of organizations will help solve most of the workers’ daily problems.
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