Focus On Occupational Health - Zulekha Soorma
Focus On Occupational Health - Zulekha Soorma
Zulekha Soorma,
EHS Consultant
“Source or situation with a potential for harm in terms of injury or ill health, damage to
property, damage to the workplace environment, or a combination of these``
Each year around 2 million people suffer from occupational ill health and injuries
Many fatalities occur due to occupational health illnesses and the figures are alarming
for developing nations where the laws pertaining to Occupational Health and Safety are
present but are not effectively implemented.
Pakistan is a signatory to the ILO convention 155 on Occupational Health and Safety.
The provisions for Occupational Health are present in the Factories Act 1934 Chapter III
and Manual of Factories Law revised 1993 and Sindh Factories Rule 1975.
Occupational health includes studies on all factors
relating to:
Work
Working methods
Conditions of work and
The working environment
Occupational health implies not only health protection but also health promotion
The Occupational health hazards at the workplace are:
A Physical
B. Chemical
C. Biological
D. Mechanical
E. Psychosocial
Details of the Occupational Health Hazards are as follows:
A Physical Hazard
Temperature (Heat/Cold)
Illumination
Noise
Vibration
Radiation’
Atmospheric pressure
Heat - Heat hyperpyrexia, Heat Exhaustion , , Heat Cramps, burns, Prickly heat
Cold - Frost bite,
Light – Occupational Cataract,
Atmospheric-pressure- Caisson disease, air embolism, explosion.
Noise - Occupational deafness,
Radiation-Cancer, Leukemia, aplastic anemia,
Extensive use of computers and other equipment involving VDU give rise many
occupational illnesses due to poor workstation design.
Poor ergonomic design of work areas and incorrect manual handling may cause
cumulative trauma disorders.
B Chemical Hazard
Chemical Hazards arise from exposure to chemical agents in the form of dust, mist,
vapour, fumes and gases.
Chemical agents can be classified as :
Metals
Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Aliphatic Hydrocarbons
Gases
The routes of entry are inhalation, absorption, ingestion, injection and mucous
membranes.
Che mical Expos ures
The Factories Act 1934 Chapter III deals with Occupational Health Hazards in the
following sections
Section15 Ventilation & Temperature:
Section 16 Dust & Fumes:
Section 18 -19 Over Crowding & Lighting:
Section 33-FExcessive Weight:
Section 33-G Protection of Eyes:
Section 33-K Protection against Dangerous Fumes:
Section 33-L Explosive or Inflammable Dust, Gas etc.:
Section 33-P Hazardous Operations:
Control on Noise and Air Pollution (PEPA 1997) and NEQS Motor Vehicles:
Cases of noise induced hearing loss are on the rise at workplaces and in urban areas
due to heavy traffic on the roads. Besides respiratory diseases at workplace due to
exposure to hazardous chemicals, asthma cases are on the rise amongst general public
due to high level of pollution caused by motor vehicle exhaust fumes and indiscriminate
burning of garbage which releases hazardous toxic fumes into the atmosphere
It is the duty of all employers and the government to ensure the protection of health of
all employees by providing effective controls at the workplace in particular and the
environment in general. Programs to monitor the effectiveness of the controls are to be
in place. Effective Health Surveillance and Exposure monitoring programs – Industrial
Hygiene programs and regular auditing of these programs will ensure a robust
Occupational Health Management System which would be in compliance with legal
requirements and OHSAS 18001 requirements.