Executive Summary on dangerous occupations which affects employees health.
Occupations are ways of life for many people, serving as a means of living. However, there are occupations that are hazardous to our health. Our health is more important than anything else, and it should be protected at all costs. Some occupations can lead to physical and mental disabilities if no precautions are taken. In this guide, we will discuss risky occupations and ways to stay safe from them.
Firstly, construction work, is termed as very risky work that puts the lives of individuals in danger if no real protective measures are taken. Think about skilled workers who work as carpenters, electricians, plumbers, roofers, and masons. Additionally, work related to heavy machine operations, like excavator, bulldozer, and forklift operations, is also very risky to our health, as shown below.
What are the health risks of construction work?
- Physical injuries are more likely to occur if no protective measures are implemented. Falling from heights, such as for roofers and scaffolders, puts them at risk of falling, and objects falling from high buildings can lead to fractures and spinal injuries, which can result in permanent disability. Additionally, machinery accidents, such as those involving workers who operate heavy equipment, can occur if an excavator fails, leading to fractures.
- Respiratory diseases, exposure to asbestos from old buildings, silica dust, and wood painting can lead to a greater risk of lung disease due to the inhalation of such chemical fumes. Diseases like silicosis, asbestosis, asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonia, and bronchitis may be observed over time.
- Hearing problems, louder machines due to drilling or blasting lead to the destruction of the ear because of sudden loud noises and can result in hearing loss.
- Skin and musculoskeletal disorders: Exposure to industrial chemicals may lead to skin problems. Carrying heavy equipment and objects can lead to joint pain and, consequently, joint injuries.
- Lastly, physiological and mental stress occurs due to long work hours and little time to rest, which can lead to stress and fatigue.
5 ways or procedures to prevent occupational risks, especially in construction areas.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be used effectively. Every laborer in construction areas should wear respiratory masks, gloves, and protective clothing, as well as hearing protection like earplugs, to prevent the direct consequences of physical injuries that can occur during work hours.
- Improve workplace quality by ensuring proper ventilation, installing exhaust fans, and using air filters that remove dust and fumes. Additionally, drilling or related work should be conducted in open areas; this will allow workers to have access to fresh air.
- Proper hygiene should be implemented in the workplace. Workers should maintain their personal health by washing their hands and faces to prevent contamination, not taking food into the working area, and also removing their work clothes before going home.
- Medical checkups for construction-related workers should be conducted regularly for the early detection of health issues. Try to get vaccinated against respiratory diseases like the flu and pneumonia. Additionally, report any symptoms of diseases, such as breathing problems and other uncomfortable situations that occur in your body.
- Consider training lessons and follow safety regulations. Knowledge is key to reducing the risk of getting diseases and injuries. Ensure you have a basic understanding of how to deal with chemical fumes and how to operate heavy equipment to reduce the risk of accidents. Follow the rules and regulations of the local safety authority, OSHA, to stay safe.
Apart from construction work, which is risky and has ways to prevent accidents, there are also other jobs that may seem safe but, in reality, are not safe for our health.
Mining and extraction-related work, involves the drilling of natural resources such as minerals and natural gas directly from underground. Workers in this field are at risk of physical injuries, respiratory diseases, toxic gas exposure, and hearing loss.
Ways and procedures to prevent and reduce those risks
- Proper ventilation systems should be applied in underground areas during extractions so that workers can avoid dust and toxic gases.
- Workers should ensure they wear protective gear such as protective clothing, helmets, gloves, and reinforced shoes to prevent direct physical injuries.
- A respiratory mask should be worn during working hours to avoid toxic dust, and it is important not to forget to implement regular safety drills.
Agriculture and forest-related work, due to the nature of activities such as logging, farming, and fishing, involves the operation of machines and working at heights, as well as dealing with dangerous animals that can harm human health. A major risk for these occupations includes machine accidents, pesticide explosions, respiratory diseases, and drowning due to poor boats during fishing.
Ways and procedures to prevent and reduce those risks
- Using protective clothing and mask-wearing to prevent contamination from pesticides.
- Proper handling of heavy machinery, like tractors, during farming is essential to prevent physical injuries, such as fractures.
- Safety harnesses should be used when laboring at heights.
- First aid should also be available in case of an emergency, and employees should be trained on how to use it.
Emergency and security service-related work, particularly involves police officers, firefighters, military personnel, and lifeguards. These occupations directly deal with threatening situations that require saving the lives of others. Workers in this field are at risk of physical injuries, burns, and smoke inhalation due to heat that may rise in burning buildings, as well as violence and assault from gunshots, which can lead to physical injuries and wounds. Mental disorders, especially among military personnel who experience traumatic events, can result in post-traumatic stress disorder.
Ways and procedures to prevent and reduce those risks
- Heat-resistant protective clothing should be worn by firefighters during the rescue process. They should also cover their faces with breathing masks to prevent dust.
- Police and military officers should wear bulletproof vests during violent situations and should be well-trained in techniques to protect themselves. They should also use proper procedures when dealing with hazardous materials to avoid contamination.
- Mental health programs, especially guidance and counseling, are essential to prevent mental disorders.
Transportation related-works, involves truck drivers, pilots, and ship crews, all of whom are at risk of health issues. These occupations involve movements in operations, which can be dangerous if the operator feels fatigued or makes human mistakes, potentially leading to injuries or death. The major risk is traffic accidents. Additionally, drivers can become obese due to long hours of driving and sleep deprivation.
Ways and procedures to prevent and reduce those risks
- Strict implementation of driving regulations requires that drivers possess a driving license recognized by the authorities. This will help ensure that drivers are professional, limit driving hours to avoid fatigue, and prohibit alcohol consumption while driving.
- Drivers should ensure regular break times to prevent drowsy driving. Short breaks are recommended after three hours. Additionally, if the route is more than 500 km, there must be more than one driver, depending on road and weather conditions, to prevent fatigue.
- Training on how to handle emergencies during operations will help reduce the intensity of accidents when they occur, such as the use of first aid.
Generally, challenges cannot stop us from working to make a living, but we have to understand the nature of the jobs we are doing and stay away from hazards associated with them by learning preventive strategies to avoid health problems.
Do you know of any risky occupations? Please share them in the comments section so that we can learn about them and how we can protect ourselves from the associated dangers.