Employers are expected to provide their employees with a secure place wherein they can work productively and safely. In any workplace setting, be it an office or a mining site, workers need to be provided security.
Unfortunately, however, workplace illnesses are a genuine threat and cannot be ignored. Research shows that around 160 million instances of non-fatal and 2 million instances of fatal workplace-related diseases are reported across the globe.
Certain hazardous workplace conditions expose workers to factors that can cause potentially fatal illnesses.
Concerns regarding workplace illnesses have increased in recent years with the debate on whether COVID-19 should be considered an occupational disease.
While the threat in most workplaces is equal to the danger in any other community setting, others like healthcare facilities place workers at severe threat of contamination.
There is still much to be learned about this disease and other common workplace illnesses. Still, we will be discussing some of the commonly reported problems that are well-established as workplace illnesses.
Following are some of the things you should be aware of in workplace settings:
1. Certain chemicals in workplaces pose a cancer threat
Research proves occupational asbestos exposure to be the leading cause of mesothelioma. Frequently being surrounded by asbestos puts workers at risk of many cancers and pulmonary illnesses.
Although regulations have limited the use of asbestos in many settings, it is still not banned, and surprisingly, many products still use this potentially lethal chemical.
Numerous household and construction products like fireproof coatings, pipes, insulation drywall, and flooring are still using asbestos, and factories, where these are produced, are high-risk places.
Suppose you ever feel that asbestos exposure at your workplace is a cause of your condition, cancer, or any other medical condition. In that case, you can get legal help, file a lawsuit, and reach financial compensation for your treatment.
Research shows that nearly 1.3 million workers in the United States are at risk of asbestos exposure.
2. Some chemicals in workplaces can cause respiratory problems and asthma
Research by OSHA shows that work-related causes contribute to 15% of all asthma cases in the United States. Also, research shows that more than 300 known substances in workplaces contribute to causing to worsening asthma.
If your work requires you to be near chemicals and irritants like ammonia, chlorine, paint, insecticides, insulation, etc., inhalation can pose an asthma risk.
Asthma is typically characterized by a tightness of the chest, breathing difficulties, and coughing. If you notice episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest tightening, you might have asthma-causing chemicals in your surroundings.
3. Physically demanding work tasks can put you at risk of musculoskeletal disorders
Workplace Safety & Prevention Services report that 43% of work-related injuries are related to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
MSDs caused by work-related tasks typically affect your neck, shoulders, back, upper, and lower limbs. Common risk factors of MSDs in the workplace include the following: handling heavy loads frequently, making repetitive forceful movements, awkward postures, fast-paced work, and long periods of standing or sitting.
If your job does not offer many breaks or changes of posture, has a high work demand, and long shifts, you are at risk of developing MSDs.
4. Occupational noise can cause hearing loss
Prolonged exposure to loud and persistent occupational noise threatens your hearing ability. A survey by NIOSH showed that among workers who had high occupational noise exposure, 18% had hearing loss.
Standard settings where such risk is present include mining and construction sites and manufacturing industries.
Other than exposure to loud noise, certain ototoxic chemicals like styrene, toluene, mercury compounds, and asphyxiants can make you more susceptible to hearing loss due to loud noise.
Research shows that approximately 10 million workers are exposed to such solvents.
5. High-stress work settings increase the risk of mental health disorders
Post-traumatic stress disorder is commonly reported among mental illnesses that workers often experience.
High-stress occupations like the military or law enforcement expose workers to traumatic situations that have a lasting impact on their mental health.
6. Irritants can cause contact dermatitis
Physical contact with irritants, extreme temperatures, radiation, certain plants, parasites, irritants, etc., can put you at risk of skin disease.
Research by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health shows that 13 million United States workers are at risk of exposure to factors that can cause skin disease.
Exposure to such irritants causes symptoms like itching, redness, pain, dryness, and flakiness of the skin. Commonly caused contact dermatitis conditions to include airborne, allergic, irritant contact dermatitis, and contact urticarial (CU).
Other than contact dermatitis, workplace hazards might cause parasitic skin lesions, viral skin diseases, dermatophyte infections, yeast infections, and other skin conditions.
Be aware of any potential irritants or chemicals in your work environment that you might be exposed to.
Final words
You must know what potential workplace hazards to look out for so that you can counter such threats and bring them to the notice of the authorities. Workplace illnesses are a genuine risk, and many we are unaware of.
These include threats of exposure to cancerous substances, chemicals, irritants, loud noise, and high-stress situations.
While the management must ensure your safety, don’t neglect or ignore such factors if you notice them in your environment. Report it to the authorities.
