Page 291 - fourth year book

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

o Ergonomic hazards ( a physical factor within the
environment that harms the musculoskeletal system)

c. Occupational health care :

Comprises a wide variety of health services such as surveillance of
employee health (routine medical check-ups) and therapeutic care
(including emergency health care services)

Elements of the work environment

a. The workers:

Workers are at greater risk of occupational hazards for a variety of

reasons as:

- Low education and literacy rates

- Unfamiliarity with work processes and exposures

- Inadequate training

- Predisposition not to complain about working conditions
because of jobs, whether or not they are hazardous, are

relatively rare

- High prevalence of endemic (mainly infections) diseases
and malnutrition;

- Inadequate infrastructure and human resources to
diagnose, treat, and prevent work - related diseases and
injuries.

b. The Tool:

Tools can range from very primitive tools like a hammer, chisel, and
needle, to automated equipment.

c. The work environment.

Occupational environment means the sum of external conditions and
influences which prevail at the place of work and which have a bearing
on the health of the working population.

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