Occupational Hazards in Work Place

Yavar Rassi, Department of Life Science, Jacobs University Bremen, Bremen, Germany, Email: yavarrassi@yahoo.com

Received: 15-Mar-2022, Manuscript No. JENVOH-22-62748; Editor assigned: 18-Mar-2022, Pre QC No. JENVOH-22-62748 (PQ); Reviewed: 04-Apr-2022, QC No. JENVOH-22-62748; Revised: 12-Apr-2022, Manuscript No. JENVOH-22-62748 (R); Published: 18-Apr-2022

Description

Any workplace condition that puts employees’ health at risk is referred to as an “occupational hazard.” A workplace hazard is one that occurs in the workplace. Chemical hazards, biological hazards (biohazards), psychosocial hazards, and physical hazards are all included in this category. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in the United States conducts workplace investigations and research to address workplace health and safety hazards, ultimately producing guidelines. To prevent workplace injuries and illnesses, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) establishes enforceable standards. EU-OSHA plays a similar role in the European Union. The term “occupational hazard” refers to both long-term and short-term risks associated with the workplace. It is a branch of occupational safety and health as well as public health. Physical injury (e.g., eye, back, head, etc.) is a short-term risk, while long-term risks include an increased risk of developing an occupational disease, such as cancer or heart disease. Short-term risks have reversible negative health effects, whereas long-term risks have irreversible negative health effects.

Chemical hazards are a subset of occupational hazards that include a wide range of substances. Chemical exposure in the workplace can have immediate or long-term negative health consequences. Neurotoxins, immune agents, dermatologic agents, carcinogens, reproductive toxins, systemic toxins, asthmagens, pneumoconiotic agents, and sensitizers are among the many types of hazardous chemicals. NIOSH establishes Recommended Exposure Limits (REL) for specific chemicals and recommends preventative measures to reduce or eliminate negative health effects from exposure to those chemicals. NIOSH also maintains a database of chemical hazards organised by chemical name, Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number, and RTECS Number. Furthermore, OSHA has established Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) for approximately 500 chemicals that are legally enforceable. Evidence that a certain level of chemical exposure is linked to one or more negative health effects is included in these exposure limits. Cardiovascular disease, for example, is more common among workers who are exposed to chemicals found in engine exhaust. Carbon tetrachloride has been shown to harm the liver and kidneys. Leukaemia has been linked to benzene exposure.

Microbes, fungi, viruses, microorganisms, and toxins are examples of biological agents that can cause biological hazards. These biological agents have the potential to harm workers’ health. Influenza is an example of a biological hazard that affects a large number of people at the same time. Toxins produced by insects, spiders, snakes, scorpions, and other living organisms require physical contact between the worker and the living organism. Contact dermatitis (caused by urushiol from poisonous Toxicodendron plants), Lyme disease, West Nile virus, and coccidioidomycosis can all be caused by biological agents on the skin (caused by exposure to fungi). Farmers, foresters, landscapers, groundskeepers, gardeners, painters, roofers, pavers, maintenance workers, labourers, mechanics, and any other workers who spend time outside are at risk for such hazards, according to NIOSH. Health care workers are at risk of contracting bloodborne illnesses (such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C), as well as emerging infectious diseases, especially when there aren’t enough resources to stop the disease from spreading. Veterinary health professionals, such as veterinarians, are at risk of contracting zoonotic diseases. If performing necropsies on infected birds or otherwise working with infected tissue, those doing clinical work in the field or in the lab risk contracting the West Nile virus. Poultry workers, who are exposed to bacteria, and tattooists and piercers, who are exposed to bloodborne pathogens, are two other occupations at risk of biological hazard exposure. Psychosocial hazards are workplace risks that have an impact on a person’s social life or psychological health. Occupational burnout and occupational stress, both of which can lead to burnout, are psychosocial hazards in the workplace. Symptoms of occupational burnout, according to the Mayo Clinic, include a cynical attitude toward work, a severe lack of motivation at work, erratic sleeping habits, and disillusionment with one’s occupation.

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