PREVENTION OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES

Prevention of occupational diseases

Prevention of occupational diseases is a major concern in all industries. The preventive measures in this respect may be grouped under 3 heads:

   

     (1) Medical measures

     (2) Engineering measures

     (3) Legislative measures

A. Medical Measures

     1. Pre-placement examination:

          Each worker is subjected to a through medical examination, which includes chest X-ray, ECG, blood examination, urine and vision test etc. at the time of employment.

2. Periodical health examination:

• It is necessary to recognize early onset of occupational and other diseases.

• Ordinarily workers are examined once a year. But in certain occupation where dangerous chemicals are used (i.e. lead, radium) monthly examinations are carried out.

3. First aid and medical care

• Within the factory first aid services should be made available.

• Communicable diseases should be prevented by necessary immunization.

 4. Notification:

• Certain occupational diseases (e.g. lead poisoning, silicosis) are notifiable.

• Notification is done not only for the purpose of workman’s compensation, but also to investigate the working conditions, so as to suggest remedial measures.

 5. Working Environment

• Periodic inspection of working environment.

• All aspects of environment – temperature,

   Lighting, noise, ventilation, humidity, cubic space, air pollution – should receive attention.

6. Health Education:

• Ideally, health education should start when the worker enters the factory.

• All the risks involved in the industry and the preventive measures to be taken should be explained to the workers.

7. Maintenance of Records:

• The workers health record must be properly maintained.

• This is essentials for the planning, development and efficiency of an occupational health service.

 

B. Engineering Measures

     1. Location

      2. Proper designing

      3. Good house keeping

      4. Enclosures

      5. Personal protective equipments:

      6. Control of dust, fumes, gases and offensive materials.

      7. Substitution

      8. Mechanisation

      9. Periodical monitoring

    

C. Legislation

    1. Factory laws should be strictly followed

     2. Industrial health regulations should be strictly observed.

     3. Smoking should be disallowed. 

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