What are occupational illnesses?

When an employee's working environment negatively affects their health, it is considered an occupational hazard, and in severe cases, it is known as an occupational disease.

According to the International Labor Organization, occupational diseases are related to exposure to psychological, physical, biological, or chemical factors at work. In occupational illnesses, the environmental factors related to the workplace are the predominant cause of the diseases.

The data shared by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work claims that about 2.4 million deaths worldwide are due to work-related diseases.

While occupational illnesses are primarily related to specific working factors and the environment, a few work-related diseases and tips for prevention are as follows.

1. Respiratory/lung diseases:

Inhaling certain hazardous materials such as dust, gases, fumes, and poisonous substances like asbestos can cause different respiratory and lung diseases. Asthma, silicosis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, mesothelioma, etc., are respiratory diseases associated with workplace hazards.

According to OSHA research, about 15% of people living with asthma result from work-related factors in the U.S. One of the most life-threatening diseases caused by work-related factors is mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that develops due to long-term asbestos exposure. Those working in construction are at most risk of asbestos exposure. It is crucial for workers diagnosed with this disease to take legal action against their employers.

It is recommended that employees get in touch with dedicated mesothelioma attorneys if they've been diagnosed with this disease due to workplace negligence for total compensation.

Prevention:

The first line of defense against diseases like mesothelioma and asthma is risk assessment and educating employees about their work environment. Secondly, employers can install dust suppression and control systems, and acquire dust management equipment to help reduce the inhalation risks to employees.

Workers must be provided with personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, and goggles of the highest quality. They should not work in an environment exposed to harmful substances for extended periods. Safety consulting service firms can provide onsite safety and health training in the use of substances to help minimize the risks of harm. This can also help companies to cut costs by lowering insurance premiums, increasing worker retention, and lowering lost time and absences due to ill health.

2. Skin disorders:

Occupations such as agriculture, construction, healthcare, textile, beauty, etc., are the most common to cause work-related skin disorders. According to research published at the National Library of Medicine, about 30% of the metal factory workers who participated in the survey reported skin manifestations during their employment. In comparison, 86% of dentists and 51% of nurses said the same.

Research suggests that occupational dermatitis is one of the most common work-related skin diseases, which can be caused by radiation, chemical exposure, irritants, parasites, allergies, etc. It causes skin inflammation and may further cause redness, itching, flaky skin, and pain.

Other skin disorders reported due to workplace factors include rashes, eczema, skin cancer, ulcers, and more.

Prevention:

Many skin disorders, especially occupational dermatitis, are easily preventable through reducing exposure. Use of latex, cotton lined, or hypoallergenic gloves can protect the skin to some extent from directly coming into contact with chemicals and irritants.

Steroid therapy, antihistamines, and wet dressing and further treat dermatitis from worsening. Job rotation is also essential for minimizing exposure.

3. Hearing loss:

Noise-induced hearing loss or occupational hearing loss also accounts for one of the most common types of occupational diseases. According to the Health and Safety Executive, an estimated two million people are exposed to dangerous noise levels at work.

On the other hand, the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health reports that about 22 million employees are exposed to noise levels above the REL (Recommended Exposure Limit). Employees typically experience hearing loss when they have worked around excessively loud machinery (typically above 85 decibels) for a long time.

Some people may experience a continuous, intermittent ringing in their ears which varies in volume, or may have a "fullness" sensation in their ears.

Prevention:

The most effective method of preventing occupational hearing loss is to use the Hierarchy of Control. This method allows regulation of noise levels through replacing, setting the limits, controlling, and using personal protective equipment to minimize exposure. Employees should abide by the rules and use earmuffs or earbuds at all times.

4. Cancer:

Cancers caused partly or wholly due to exposure to carcinogens at work are called occupational cancers. Numerous types of cancers can develop due to the abnormal growth of cells in the body. Various factors, including personal habits and the working environment, are reasons for developing occupational cancer.

The most common types of occupational cancers are bladder cancer, mesothelioma, and lung cancer, resulting from exposure to physical, chemical, and biological carcinogens. Several products such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, vinyl chloride, radiation, certain viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis B can act as carcinogens in the workplace.

Prevention:

The best way to protect workers from occupational cancers is to reduce the prolonged exposure of carcinogens present at the workplace. Employers should conduct regular checkups of all employees who encounter potential hazards and provide PPE.

5. Stress and mental health:

While many corporations may not take mental illness into account, multiple studies claim that mental disorders such as stress and PTSD can be considered occupational diseases in certain conditions. For instance, high-pressure working environments and constant demand for overachieving performance can lead to work-related stress and other types of mental illnesses.

According to The Health and Occupation Reporting Network, 18% of mental health disorders reported are caused by work-related stress. Employees can suffer from one or more of the following symptoms due to work-related stress:

ü  Panic attacks

ü  High blood pressure

ü  Headaches

ü  Feeling dizzy and tired

ü  Overly aggressive/emotional

ü  Chest pains and frequent colds  

Prevention:

Self-care is one of the best ways to tackle work-related stress. Employees should know when to take breaks, ask for help, and pressure the organization to support them. It is also essential to convey realistic expectations to the management that the employees should not be disturbed outside of the working hours.

Conclusion:

Numerous working conditions can cause employees to suffer from various occupational diseases and illnesses. Every organization must take the necessary safety measures to ensure employee safety.

It is crucial to educate workers about their working conditions and protect themselves against hazards. Employees should also be provided with the proper compensation and benefits if asked to work in hazardous conditions.