Occupational health
hazards refer to the potential risks to the health and safety for those
who work outside the home. According to the World Health Organization,
this represents about 70% of adult men and up to 60% of adult women
throughout the world, and an estimated additional 40 million adults
enter the global workforce each year. Of course, the specific occupational hazards
faced by this large and growing number of people depends on the region
and its economic standing, but there are some of the common hazards
faced by workers worldwide.
Topping the list internationally are
structural failures and mechanical accidents. This includes structures
vulnerable to adverse weather conditions, moving and/or unprotected
parts of machinery, or general equipment failure. These occupational
health hazards exist fairly equally in developed and undeveloped
countries, regardless of industry.
One of the most common
work-related injuries to occur globally is the development of
musculoskeletal disorders caused by heavy lifting and performing tasks
that require repetitive motions. These occupational health hazards are
also responsible for the most incidents of disability claims, whether
temporary, long-term, or permanent. Muscle injuries due to physical
stress most often occur in occupations such as construction and farming,
while repetitive motion injuries are most often sustained in
environments related to services that typically involve heavy typing and
data entry. Also grouped into this category are ergonomically poor working conditions and equipment.
Hearing loss is another hazard encountered by those who work in
industries such as construction and manufacturing. In fact, hearing loss
ranks with mechanical hazards in terms of being one of the most common
occupational health hazards in both developed and developing countries.
Typically, this problem occurs over time from chronic exposure to noisy
machinery without the use of earmuffs designed to protecting hearing.
Even long-term exposure to vibrations can contribute to hearing loss.
Exposure to chemicals and other biological agents account for one of
the most common and most harmful occupational hazards that effect
several industries. The health risks from these hazards include liver
damage, cancer, and reproductive disorders from chronic exposure to
pesticides, heavy metals, and corrosive substances. Health care workers
are at particular risk for contracting diseases such as HIV/AIDS,
tuberculosis, and hepatitis B and C. Others, such as those who work in
agriculture, are at increased risk of infections caused by fungi and
parasites. Other groups are affected by a high incidence of skin and
respiratory disorders due to exposure to allergens such as mold,
bacteria, and organic dusts.
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