Occupational Illnesses

Struggling to hear people talking who are just a few feet away from you. Other symptoms include a feeling of ‘fullness’ in the ears after exiting a noisy area. Other individuals may suffer from tinnitus which is a constant or intermittent ringing in your ears.

Sounds which exceed 85 decibels resulting in prolonged exposure will cause permanent hearing loss. Remember even working with hand tools which can emit exposures as high as 95 decibels can cause damage and this is why it is essential that PPE is worn at all times and that ear defenders or plugs are fitted properly and the seal works to an adequate level.

NIHL like many other occupational health exposures comes on gradually. Sadly, it is difficult to catch it before the damage is done. But what can you do to help yourself? 

Ensure your company has a robust hearing surveillance programme

Wear appropriately fitted hearing protection. 

Follow all appropriate measures and controls your company has put in place to protect your hearing.

This is a question we are often asked and there are a number of identifiable triggers that will  help you to work out if you are doing too much, feeling overwhelmed or just need to stop and take stock of your life. 

Remember Chronic Stress not only affects your work and overall health, it can also lead to depression. Depression is a much harder cycle to break and can lead to both physical and mental changes in you.

• Agitation, moodiness, or negative feelings at work. 
• Apathy and a lack of motivation 
• Chest pain and tightness including panic attacks. 
• Feeling sick or having a feeling of dread for work. 
• Skin problems including stress eczema
• Struggling to concentrate
• Tiredness and feeling sluggish all or some of the time. 

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms then you should firstly speak to your line manager who should arrange for you to have an occupational health assessment to determine any measures or assistance that requires to be put in place to help you cope and adjust at work. 

Many workplace substances can cause occupational lung disease and it is therefore essential you are your company carry out regular risk assessment and also have a robust health surveillance in place.

However common causes include: 

• Dust from things such as coal, asbestos, silica, talc, cereal, grains, drugs, and enzymes particles. 
• Fumes from metals that are heated and cooled quickly. This process results in fine, solid particles being carried in the air. Job examples include welding, smelting, furnace work, pottery making, plastics manufacturing, and rubber operations.
• Smoke from burning materials. Smoke can contain a variety of particles, gases, and vapours. Firefighters are at an increased risk.
• Gases such as formaldehyde, ammonia, chlorine, and nitrogen oxides. 
• Mists or sprays from paints, lacquers (such as varnish), hair spray, pesticides, cleaning products, acids, oils, and solvents (such as turpentine).

Depending on your line of work, you might not be able to avoid occupational lung disease. You can try to limit exposure to reduce your risk of disease. Things you can do are:

• Stop smoking.
• Wear a mask.
• Increase ventilation in work area.
• Use a respirator. This is a device that covers your nose and mouth. It cleans the air before it enters your body. You should clean the respirator after each use.
• Know and follow workplace safety precautions and first-aid processes.
• Ensure you attend for regular health surveillance within your companies’ protocol

Determining the specific causes can be difficult as many people have very sensitive skin. Where some chemical substances or materials can cause reactions, likewise, can food such as nuts, chocolate, or fish. Sometimes additives in food can also cause reactions. If in doubt, you should always seek medical advice to determine your exposure and what you need to do next.

The most effective method of dealing with any type of dermatitis risk is through prevention.

The second line of defence against dermatitis is the correct use of PPE. Wearing gloves, looking after your skin, and using appropriate barrier creams and moisturisers – all essential elements of dealing with prevention. 

If you do come into contact with an irritant, you should wash your hands immediately and use an antihistamine to reduce itch and inflammation. If symptoms worsen then seek medical advice.

Symptoms vary from person to person and depend on the affected area but might typically include:

• Pain
• Numbness
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Tingling

The causes of common musculoskeletal problems are:

• Lifting heavy or awkward loads
• Repetitive activities such as packing and stacking
• Sitting in awkward positions for prolonged periods

1. Ensure you attend all manual handling courses. 
2. Do not put yourself at risk. Look at your workload and ask if yourself if it can be done differently. Is it a two-man job? Can I change my location or my layout? 
3. Ensure all necessary workplace risk and ergonomic assessments have been carried out.
4. Report any injuries or adverse effects immediately and arrange for treatment of same.