What is an Occupational Illness?

Any illness mainly caused or significantly aggravated by exposure to Health hazards in the work environment.

It must arise out of or in the course of employment.

Health hazardsPhysical e.g. Noise, Heat, Cold, Radiation,

Vibration

Chemical e.g Metals (lead,Ni) Gases(H2S,CO,CO2) Vapours, Benzene, Toluene, Dust (Asbestos, Silica).

Biological e.g Bacteria, Viruses etc

Ergonomics-work station design

Psychological

When an illness is work related?

Has an illness occurred?Steps before diagnosis1st step Occupational History - Job description & tasks -Is causal agent/s 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 hobbies2nd stepClinical examination3rd stepInvestigations -Biological tests-urine, blood tests -Radiological- X-ray, CT scan, MRI - Physiological

4th stepSite visit and exposure monitoring. Combination of steps from 1-4 would

help you to make decision.

Final decision: Is the illness work-related i.e. attributable mainly to occupational exposure or not?

Classification of Occupational Illnesses

1. Infectious and Parasitic DiseasesFood poisoning, TB, infectious hepatitis, legionnaire‘s disease

2. Skin Diseases and DisordersContact dermatitis, Allergic dermatitis.

3. Respiratory Conditions due to Dust or Toxic AgentsAllergic Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis due to chemicals, dusts, gases, or

fumes.Pneumoconiosis (Coal dust, Silicosis, Asbestosis, Farmer’s lung (grain

dust),Byssinosis (cotton)

4. Poisoning (Systemic Effects of Toxic Materials) Poisoning by metals e.g Lead, Mercury or other metalsPoisoning by gas e.g Carbon monoxide, Hydrogen sulphide, or other

gasesPoisoning by solventsPoisoning by pesticides

5. Upper limb and neck disorders e.g Mouse disease (RSI)

6. Back problems and lower limbs disorder

7. Cancers e.g Mesothelioma; bladder cancer; Leukemia

8. Disorders due to Mental Stress

9. Noise Induced Hearing Loss

10. Other Illnesses and Disorders

Eye conditions e.g Arc eye

Heat problems and Radiation.

Classification of Occupational Illnesses

Do we need to report and investigate occupational illness? Yes, because of the following:

1. Moral obligations

2. Legislation

3. Negative Impacts Employee(Death, disability, days away from

work, RW)

Employer Costs(Litigation potential, sickness absence etc) Reputation issue. National income

4. Research purposes

Who should report suspected occupational illness?

Employee

Line manager/supervisor

Medical professionals.

Occupational injuryWork injury is a case which results frominstantaneous work incident involving a

singleevent. 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. Burns