scholarly journals PREVALENCE OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES AMONG SMALL AND MEDIUM INDUSTRY WORKERS IN MALAYSIA: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Muhammad Zubir Yusof ◽  
Nik Ahmad Kamal Nik Mahmod ◽  
Nor Azlina A. Rahman ◽  
Ailin Razali ◽  
Niza Samsuddin ◽  
...  

Occupational diseases are one of the major health problems related to workplace hazards. However, the epidemiological data for this problem is scarce especially among Small and Medium Industry (SMI) workers. These workers are vulnerable to occupational health problem due to lack of knowledge and implementation of health and safety in the workplace. In Malaysia, most of the SMI workers have limited coverage for basic occupational health services which may worsen their health. Thus, this article aims to provide a review on the burden of occupational health problems among them. The electronic and library searches were used to extract the information from both published and unpublished articles that were not limited to any year of publication until 2017. One hundred and ninety-six published articles and 198 unpublished articles were retrieved from the database. Only 19 published articles and 25 unpublished articles met the eligibility criteria. Prevalence data of occupational diseases/poisoning, including overall and body specific (musculoskeletal disorders) was extracted in raw data from the eligible studies. Prevalent statistics on occupational musculoskeletal diseases (1.3% - 97.6%), noise-induced hearing loss (29.4% - 73.3%), occupational skin diseases (10.5% - 84.3%), respiratory (1.9% - 92.2%) and occupational poisoning (14.9% - 17.7%) among the working population is different within published papers compared to unpublished ones. In Malaysia, there are no specific statistic that give a true picture of the burden of occupational diseases in the SMI. However, this review concludes that musculoskeletal diseases are significant occupational problems among SMI workers.

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Sarwar Mir

Occupational risks have been classed as the tenth leading cause of morbidity and mortality and occupational skin diseases are important problem in the construction industries. Aim: The aim of this study is to understand the occupational health problems of construction workers engaged at large construction site in Kashmir. Materials and methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at a large scale construction site of a cement factory on outskirts of Srinagar.All workers (N=200) were enrolled as study subjects. Data was collected by the team consisting of investigators, doctors and social worker using a pre tested validated structured preformed. Result: Among 200 workers only 28.0% used protective measure and 70% had suffered with at least one form of disease. Among them different diseases were found in following percentages i.e. respiratory problems (45.7%), musculo-skelekal problems (32.8%), Dermatitis (78.6%), burn/scald (6.6%) and accidental injury (28.6%). Conclusion: Measures are needed to improve the work environment of construction workers by ensuring availability of protective gears, sanitation facilities at the sites along with an accessible, accountable occupational health services


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 262
Author(s):  
Fertin Mulyanasari ◽  
Sigit Mulyono

<p><em>Waste pickers are a group of workers who are at risk of accidents and work-related diseases because they are exposed to sources of disease from rubbish piles. Various diseases and work accidents occur in waste pickers in various countries. To describe occupational health and safety problems that occur in waste pickers as well as efforts that can be made to improve occupational health and safety of waste pickers. Literature search through online databases on ScienceDirect, Wiley Online, and ProQuest with the keywords used "occupational health service", "occupational health nursing", "waste picker", and "scavenger" obtained a total of 3,624 articles, carried out reviews resulting in 17 selected articles. Health problems and workplace accidents of waste pickers range from respiratory problems, musculoskeletal problems, communicable and non communicable diseases, mental health problems and other problems to impacting their families and causing death. Policies are needed to regulate the health and work safety of waste pickers as well as to improve knowledge of occupational health and safety, providing Persolan Protective Equipment (PPE) and improving waste picker obedience to use PPE by health care program. </em></p><p> </p><p><em>Pengumpul sampah merupakan kelompok pekerja yang berisiko terhadap kecelakaan dan penyakit akibat kerja karena terpapar sumber penyakit dari tumpukan sampah. Berbagai penyakit dan kecelakaan kerja terjadi pada pengumpul sampah diberbagai negara.</em><em> </em><em>U</em><em>ntuk </em><em>mendeskripsikan masalah kesehatan dan keselamatan kerja yang terjadi pada pengumpul sampah serta upaya yang dapat dilakukan untuk meningkatkan kesehatan dan keselamatan kerja pengumpul sampah. Pe</em><em>ncarian </em><em>literatur </em><em>melalui online database </em><em> pada ScienceDirect,  Wiley Online, dan ProQuest dengan kata kunci yang digunakan yaitu “occupational health service”, “occupational health nursing”, “waste picker”, dan “scavenger” didapatkan total 3.624 artikel, dilakukan review sehingga dihasilkan 17 artikel terpilih. Masalah kesehatan dan kecelakaan kerja pengumpul sampah beragam mulai dari masalah pernapasan, masalah muskuloskeletal, penyakit menular dan tidak menular, masalah mental dan masalah lainnya hingga berdampak pada keluarga mereka dan menyebabkan kemantian. Diperlukan kebijakan yang mengatur kesehatan dan keselamatan kerja pengumpul sampah serta peningkatan pengetahuan kesehatan dan keselamatan kerja, pengadaan alat pelindung diri dan meningkatkan kepatuhan penggunaan alat pelindung diri oleh pengumpul sampah melalui peran pelayanan kesehatan.</em></p>


Author(s):  
Helmut Strasser

AbstractMutual adaptation and inter-changeability of system elements are very important prerequisites for machines, technical devices and products. Similar to that technical compatibility which can be achieved by standards and regulations, optimum design of human-oriented workplaces or a man-machine system cannot be attained without, e.g., a compatible arrangement of connected displays and controls. Over and above those stimulus/response relations, all technical elements and interfaces have to be designed in such a way that they do not exceed human capacity in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance. Compatibility between the properties of the human organism on the one hand, and the adaptable technical components of a work system on the other hand, offers a great potential of preventive measures. Examples of ergonomically designed working tools show that compatibility is capable of reducing the prevalence of occupational diseases and repetitive strain injuries as well as leading to lower physiological cost in such a way that the same output results from a lower demand of human resources or even a higher performance will be attained. Compatibility also supports the quick perception and transmission of information in a man-machine system, and as a result of lower requirements for decoding during information processing, spare mental capacity may enhance occupational safety. In the field of software, compatibility also helps to avoid psychological frustration. All in all, the center core competency, which reflects the major significant function of the ergonomist in work design, consists in determining the compatibility of human capacity and planned or existing demands of work. In order to provide efficient working tools and working conditions as well as to be successful in occupational health and safety, ergonomics and industrial engineering in the future are expected to pay more attention to the rules of compatibility. Applied in an appropriate way, these rules may convince people that ergonomics can be a powerful means for reducing prevalence of occupational diseases and complaints, and has a positive effect on overall system performance. Besides presenting examples of work design according to the principle of compatibility, also methods will be shown which enable the assessment of the ergonomic quality of hand-held tools and computer input devices.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Iancheva ◽  
T Kundurzhiev ◽  
N Tzacheva ◽  
L Hristova

Abstract The study is based on the National Science Program 'eHealth in Bulgaria (e-Health)', funded by the Ministry of Education and Science. Partnership Contract No. D-01-200/16.11.2018 Issue Occupational health is closely linked to public health and health system. In Bulgaria there are many software products related to the registration and reporting of occupational health. Description of the Problem It is necessary to study all the determinants of occupational health, including the risks of diseases and accidents in the occupational environment, social and individual factors. The establishment of electronic systems for registering and monitoring both the health status of each worker and the possible hazards in the work environment is associated with the introduction and use of the occupational health record of each worker. Results The methodology for improving the module for occupational diseases in the structure of the occupational health record in Bulgaria has been developed. The classifications are in compliance with the legislation in the country and the requirements of the developing Eurostat methodology for European statistics on occupational diseases are applied. The occupational health record will serve both employers and physicians working in Occupational Health Services. Lessons The occupational disease module in the structure of the occupational health record will contribute to the statistical comparability of occupational disease data at regional and national level. Not only will the registration of the harmful factors of the working environment and the diseases related to the work process, but also the introduction of timely measures to ensure good occupational and public health. Key messages Through the occupational disease module, the structure of the occupational health record introduces the possibility of taking adequate measures to ensure good occupational health. The occupational health record will serve both employers and physicians working in Occupational Health Services.


2005 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark W Bufton ◽  
Joseph Melling

The growth of statutory compensation for industrial injuries and illness has attracted considerable attention from historians of state welfare and students of organized labour in both Europe and North America. The rights of legal redress for disease and accidents in the workplace have become the subject of some debate among historians of occupational health and safety, most particularly in regard to asbestos-related illnesses. Among the most detailed and scholarly accounts of the subject in Britain are those by Peter Bartrip and his collaborators. In contrast to many accounts in labour and medical history which express strong empathy with the plight of workers who faced injury and death in the workplace, Bartrip adopts a model of industrial behaviour which is closer to rational-choice assumptions of mainstream economics. His recent account of government regulation of occupational diseases since the nineteenth century offers limited comment on the attitudes of trade unionists to accidents, though he broadly maintains that British unions have historically been more concerned with winning compensation awards than pressing for the prevention of hazards in the industrial workplace.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-28
Author(s):  
Paul J. Jansing ◽  
Audry Morrison ◽  
Travis W. Heggie ◽  
Thomas Küpper

<p><b>Background: </b>Occupational physicians work directly with individual employees regarding diseases that has been caused or exacerbated by workplace factors. However, employees are increasingly required to travel for their work, including to tropical countries where they risk exposure to diseases they would not normally encounter at home (i.e., malaria). Such disease/s may also take days to months to incubate before becoming symptomatic, even after their return home, thus delaying and complicating the diagnosis. Proving this was an occupational disease with respective sick leave entitlement or compensation can be challenging. There is a lack of data concerning occupational diseases caused by tropical infections. <p> <b>Material and methods: </b>Employee case records for the period 2003-2008 from the State Institute for Occupational Health and Safety of North-Rhine Westphalia in Germany were analysed and assessed within Germany’s regulatory framework. These records included Germany’s largest industrial zone.<p> <b>Results: </b>From 2003-2008the suspected cases of “tropical diseases and typhus”, categorized as occupational disease “Bk 3104” in Germany, have decreased significantly. A high percentage of the suspected cases was accepted as occupational disease, but persistent or permanent sequelae which conferred an entitlement to compensation were rare. <p><b>Conclusion: </b> There is scope to improve diagnosis and acceptance of tropical diseases as occupational diseases. The most important diseases reported were malaria, amoebiasis, and dengue fever. Comprehensive pre-travel advice and post-travel follow-ups by physicians trained in travel and occupational health medicine should be mandatory. Data indicate that there is a lack of knowledge on how to prevent infectious disease abroad.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (S14) ◽  
Author(s):  
Netsanet Workneh Gidi ◽  
Anna Suraya ◽  
Beatrice Mutayoba ◽  
Bernarda Espinoza ◽  
Bindiya Meggi ◽  
...  

AbstractThe international CIHLMU Occupational Safety and Health Symposium 2019 was held on 16th March, 2019 at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Germany. About 60 participants from around the world representing occupational health and safety professionals, students, instructors from several institutions in Germany and abroad, attended the symposium.The main objective of the symposium was to create awareness on global challenges and opportunities in work-related respiratory diseases. One keynote lecture and six presentations were made. While the keynote lecture addressed issues on occupational diseases in the twenty-first century, the six presentations were centered on: Prevention and control of work-related respiratory diseases, considerations; Occupational health and safety in Mining: Respiratory diseases; The prevention of TB among health workers is our collective responsibility; Compensation and prevention of occupational diseases and discussion on how artificial intelligence can support them: Overview of international approaches; Work-related Asthma: Evidence from high-income countries; and The role of imaging in the diagnosis of work- related respiratory diseases. A panel discussion was conducted following the presentations on the importance and challenges of data acquisition which is needed to have a realistic picture of the occupational safety and health status of workers at different levels. The current summary is an attempt to share the proceedings of the symposium.


SEER ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-30
Author(s):  
Cvetan Kovač ◽  
Ivana Krišto ◽  
Ana Šijaković

Diagnosis of occupational diseases is an interdisciplinary process that requires special knowledge of medicine and other areas related to health and safety at work. So too is their diagnosis and treatment the responsibility of occupational health specialists. The recognition of occupational diseases in Croatia is regulated by the Law on the List of Occupational Diseases, while diagnosis is carried out according to modern occupational health criteria, which includes determining the clinical picture of the disease and the damage caused by the work process. The current health crisis caused by the pandemic of the new infectious disease COVID-19 points us to several challenges in the field of health and safety at work in the Republic of Croatia, including the administrative problem of reporting and recognising occupational diseases caused by COVID-19. At the beginning of April 2020, an amendment to the Regulation on Infectious Diseases completely removed all administrative barriers to the recognition of occupational diseases caused by COVID-19 infection.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Siswanto Siswanto

Occupational health services shall be an effort to provide occupational health and safety protection to workers' communities, which have the objective of maintaining and improving the health status of the working-class community, Preventing the occurrence of health problems and protecting workers from health hazards and placing workers in the work environment in accordance with their physical and psychological abilities workers. Objective Analysis research is to analyze the completeness of facilities, workforce competencies to the implementation of Occupational Health and Safety in Puskesmas District of Tulungagung. The design used in the study was cross-sectional. The population is Puskesmas District of Tulungagung. The sample size was 32 respondents Health Center by using simple random sampling technique. Independent research variables are Infrastructure and Labor Competencies. The dependent variable is the implementation of Safety Management. Data was collected using kuesoner, then the data were analyzed using linear regression test with a significance level of α ≤ 0.05. The results showed more than half of the health center has the facilities and infrastructure K3 (Occupational Health and Safety Management) is complete as many as 23 respondent’s health centers (76.7%), more than half Puskesmas. as having the competence K3 Officers who are not trained as much as 23 respondents health centers (76.7%). more than half of Puskesmas.have health and safety management that less as much as 19 respondent of health center (63,3%). The result of statistical test shows that there is no influence between K3 infrastructure and worker with K3 management (0,340). The result of statistic test obtained by Pseudo R square value at Nagelkerke is 0,086, which means infrastructure and competence in explaining MK3 implementation is 0,086 (8,6%) and there are 91,4% other factors outside model in implementation of safety and health management MK3).The conclusion of this study is that occupational health safety management can be influenced by many factors. All the supporting factors in the implementation of occupational health safety management should be synergized to achieve optimal work safety objectives.


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