Occupational Health and Safety Chapter 17
Occupational Health and Safety Workplace exposure to hazards Indoors Outdoors Health problems arising from exposure to and injury from hazards Federal government agencies and employers are improving standards in the workplace
Evolution of Occupational Health and Safety Standards Silicosis the first known occupational disease Found among Egyptian slaves and flint-tool makers Pulmonary mycotoxicosis ( farmer s lung disease ) the second oldest occupational disease Associated with harvesting and storage of grain
Evolution of Occupational Health and Safety Standards (continued) Hippocrates wrote about professional illnesses from exposure to lead, sulfur, mercury, and other chemicals Pliny the Elder reported health risks among those working with zinc and sulfur Recommended respiratory devices for dust and vapor protection Galen, a Greek physician, described lead poisoning and hazards to copper miners
Middle Ages and Occupational Illnesses Guilds were formed to help sick and crippled workers and their families Ulrich Ellenbog (1440 1499) wrote about occupational diseases among German gold miners The first known writing about industrial hygiene and toxicology
Middle Ages and Occupational Illnesses (continued) Phillippus Paraclesus (1493 1541) observed illnesses among mining and smelting workers in Austria and Switzerland Agricola (1556) described diseases among German miners and suggested preventive measures advocating worker protection
Pre-Industrial Revolution Ramazzini (1700s) observed gastroenteritis among cesspool workers in Italy He wrote about the toxicity of CO, lead, mercury, and nitric acid
Pre-Industrial Revolution (continued) Sir Percival Pott (1713 1788) recognized a high incidence of scrotal cancer in chimney sweeps (many were children) As a result the British Parliament enacted the Chimney Sweepers Act of 1788 The law compensated chimney sweeps rather than prevent problems, and made it illegal to employ children under the age of 8
Effects of the Industrial Revolution Originated in England and the United States An increase in mines, factories, and printing plants Unreasonably long hours, intolerable working conditions, poor sanitation, and inadequate housing An increase in massive work-related injuries and deaths
1800s Cotton textile workers experienced byssinosis, a respiratory disease Sick and dying workers made better working conditions an economic necessity Trade unions to protect workers were not allowed until 1824 (when slavery was abolished in England)
English Factory Acts (1833 1878) Required inspections, medical certification for children over age 9 to work, decreased use of lead paint, phosphorus, and carbon disulfide The U.S. adopted heating, lighting, ventilation, and work hour standards from these acts When immigrants came to the U.S., wages decreased and working conditions declined due to competition for jobs
Child Labor Laws The Massachusetts Child Labor Act of 1835 was to prevent the employment of young children in industrial settings Because the public thought that poor families benefited when their children worked, the law was ignored Entire families were often hired Work days were very long Families lived in company-owned homes Even today, children ages 5 14 work in developing countries
People Promoting Occupational Health and Safety Mother Jones (1837 1930) The Miner s Angel An Irish seamstress Led a coal miner s strike in Virginia and helped organize the United Mine Workers Founder of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) Helped with child labor laws in Pennsylvania textile plants Helped the garment workers and streetcar workers in New York Helped the steel workers in Pittsburgh
People Promoting Occupational Health and Safety (continued) Upton Sinclair (1878 1968) called attention to appalling working conditions in meat packing plants in his book, The Jungle Cesar Chavez (1927 1993) founded the National Farm Workers Association to help migrant farm workers
People Promoting Occupational Health and Safety (continued) Dr. Alice Hamilton (1869 1970) studied industrial conditions of felt-hat and lead workers Provided evidence to factory managers, mine workers, and state officials Considered the first American specialist in occupational disease Founder of occupation medicine in the U.S. First female faculty member at Harvard Medical School in 1919
Occupational Health and Safety Laws Workmen s Compensation Laws (1911) Fair Labor Standards Act; also known as the Federal Wage and Hour Law (1938) The work week was set at 40 hours Set minimum wage at 40 cents/hour Prohibited full-time child labor under age 16 Children 14 15 could be employed part-time outside of school hours and during vacations Minors over 18 could work in hazardous industries
Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) (1970) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) was established to conduct research and set standards for worker safety Since the establishment of OSHA, workplace fatalities, injuries, and illnesses have declined 40% while the number of workers has doubled
Hazardous Occupations Occupations most at risk for deaths, disability, and hospitalization due to injuries: Agriculture Construction Manufacturing
Workers At Risk Manual laborers Those who operate heavy machines and equipment Those required to do heavy lifting Those required to do repetitive movements Those who work in unsafe working conditions Those who work in extreme heat and cold Those who use unsafe work habits
Occupational Health Concerns for Agriculture Agriculture is the most dangerous occupation Every day 500 agricultural workers suffer lost work-time injuries, sometimes with permanent impairment Heavy equipment, heavy lifting, repetitive movement Pesticides, fertilizers, dust, pollen, molds Parasitic illnesses and infectious diseases Many farm families have children who work
Risk for Migrant Farm Workers Significantly poorer health than the general population Average life expectancy is 40 years compared to 75 years Infant mortality is 125 times higher Problems with respiratory disease, skin infections, diarrhea, vitamin deficiencies, parasitic conditions, undiagnosed congenital and developmental problems
Occupational Hazards Air contaminants Particulate matter or gas/vapors See occupational lung diseases Physical Biological Chemical
Occupational Lung Diseases The #1 work-related illness in the U.S. Primarily from inhaling carcinogens at the workplace Approximately 18,000 deaths per year Other lung diseases are caused from particulate matter (dust, fibers, mists, aerosols) or gas/vapors
Occupational Lung Diseases (continued) Asbestosis from chronic exposure to asbestos Construction workers, demolition workers, automobile mechanics, shipyard workers, electricians Pneumoconiosis (a.k.a. anthracosis or black lung disease ) A respiratory tract infection coal miners get from inhaling coal dust Byssinosis ( brown lung disease ) Chronic obstruction of the small airways from inhaling dust from hemp, flax, and cotton processing
Occupational Lung Diseases (continued) Chalicosis Lung disease from the inhalation of copper Silicosis Common among construction workers from exposure to free crystalline silica in cement, bricks, mortar, sheetrock, stucco, bricks, and blasting sand Siderosis (a.k.a arc welders disease ) Welders and ironworkers are often exposed to beryllium and manganese fumes
Physical Hazards Temperature Light Noise Vibration Radiation exposure Ergonomic hazards (repetitive movements and poorly designed work conditions) Carpal tunnel syndrome Lower back pain
Discussion Question What are some ways occupational physical hazards can be reduced?
Environmentally Friendly and User Friendly Technology TCO certification addresses concerns about magnetic fields, electrical and fire safety, and energy efficiency The machine is examined for the 4 E s Ergonomics Emissions Energy Ecology
Chemical Hazards Can be inhaled, absorbed, ingested, or injected Generally corrosive Benzene exposure can cause CNS depression and respiratory failure Lead is highly toxic
Discussion Question: What are some ways occupational chemical hazards can be decreased?
Biological Hazards Pathogens and other living organisms that cause acute and chronic infections Usually enter through a break in the skin or inhaling or handling animal hides
Discussion Question: What are some ways occupational biological hazards can be decreased?
Industrial Hygiene The science and art devoted to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of environmental factors or stresses arising in or from the workplace, which may cause sickness, impaired health and well-being, or significant discomfort among workers or among citizens of the community
Industrial Hygienists Interpret OSHA standards on worker protection on harmful physical, chemical, and biological agents Provide technical assistance and support Monitor and analyze methods to detect the extent of worker exposure Employ engineering, work practice controls, and other methods to control hazards Post hazard warnings and keep records
Certified Industrial Hygienists As of 1962, industrial hygienists must be certified The person must have a B.S. degree and 8 years of full-time experience
Safety Specialists Advise employers to change work practices to minimize employee exposure Inspect equipment on a regular basis Make sure housekeeping procedures are being followed Assure employees are adequately supervised Restrict food, beverages, tobacco, gum, and cosmetics in work areas
Training for Safety Specialists Usually have a background in physics, chemistry, biology, physiology, statistics, mathematics, computer science, engineering, industrial processes, business, psychology, and communication Additional training in industrial hygiene, toxicology, fire protection, ergonomics, accident investigation, product safety, construction safety, training methods, and environmental laws