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| Sunday, 12 June 2005 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Impact of occupational health hazards : On sick leave by Shanika Sriyananda Occupational health hazard is an issue often overlooked at work places. Shortcomings ranging from lack of proper ventilation, seating arrangements to attire can all cause health hazards in the work place. And joining the long list of hazards is promoting unqualified staff to positions of responsibility. Qualifications matching the capabilities is important say medical experts who argue that assigning too much responsibility to a person unqualified for the task can not only make the person sick but also have an adverse impacts on the profit margin of the company.
Occupational health simply means 'the adaptation of work by man and of each man to his job'. But various ill-effects at working places - in factories, state and government institutions and even in the informal sectors like agriculture and fishing- have resulted in poor working environment, and cut down the number of working days of the country, today. The number of employees hospitalised and dying due to occupational health hazards are on the increase. But health experts say the seriousness of the issue continues to be overlooked. "This major health hazard is not yet highlighted as a separate health issue. Hospital admissions and deaths are not categorised as cases due to occupational health hazards but recorded under different illnesses and accidents. So the seriousness of the situation is hidden", says Dr. Herath. Although good health and safe working conditions is a legal requirement in almost every working place in the country, the total number of working days lost due to occupational accidents are on the increase each year. The increase in easily preventable accidents and diseases are mainly due to poor awareness among the workers and the lethargy of the owners to adopt simple measures or techniques to prevent occupational health hazards. According to Dr. Herath, the working environment and the type of the work can lead to diseases. "When you are working in extremely hazardous environments like graphite mining, handling pesticide and chemicals, and asbestos manufacturing you are exposed to severe illnesses like lung cancer. The farmers and those working and living near paddy fields are more prone to leptropirosis (rat fever), which is common among farmers because the infected agent enters into their body while they are working", he adds. Dr. Herath points out that some diseases will be exacerbated due to work. Those who have stress and do stressful jobs will experience an increase in stress and asthma sufferers who work in dusty environments will experience an increase in asthma attacks because of the dusty environment. On the other hand, those who suffer from epilepsy, colour blindness and hearing deficiencies will lose their ability to work safety and efficiency due to the illness. "But, work promotes health. If the person is actively engaged in a work, his physical activity will promote his health. Work satisfaction will also promote his health. As he is economically sound he is happy and this will help him to have good health", he says. However, occupational health needs to be promoted more to create a good working environment for the country's workforce, especially those who are in the informal sector - agriculture, fisheries and other sectors with less attention. The misunderstanding between the owners and workers hinder the improvement of the working environment. "They think that steps to improve occupational health is something to do with trade unions. But what occupational health really means is improving the workers health, their nutritional status, and also working environment. By doing so, the working conditions will be improved and possible adverse working environment will be minimised", he points out. According to Dr. Hearth, identifying possible health hazards and taking steps to avoid them is the best practice. If the lead levels in ones blood is high due to constant exposure, he should be transferred to some other section with less lead contact. Simple steps can make a better working place for the employees, he says. He says that air pollution, dust and smoke are the commonest causes of occupational hazards and most of the workers are prone to various illnesses due to too much noise, heat and poor ventilation in work places. Every working place should have a medical centre to treat minor ailments of the staff. This will help early identification of some illnesses and also prevent the danger of them developing into major illnesses. He says that close supervision of vulnerable groups - unskilled labourers, trainees, females, young people and those who are mentally and physically handicapped - is essential as they are not still competent enough to handle tasks that need specialised skills. "They are more prone to accidents, and special supervision is needed while making them more aware about the proper handing of the tasks to minimise the risks", he adds. However, the controlling and minimising of occupational hazards are not impossible tasks because a hazard free working environment can be created by adopting simple techniques and sophisticated new equipments. *** Those at risk In Sri Lanka one third of the population is employed and over 50 per cent of the working population is in the agricultural sector. Only 14 per cent is in the industrial sector. Health hazards in working places includes injuries, respiratory diseases, cancer, musculoskeletal disorders, reproductive disorders, cardiovascular diseases, mental and neurological illnesses, eye damage, hearing loss and communicable diseases. A major part of the workforce in the least developed countries (80 per cent) is employed in agriculture, mining and other types of primary production. The main causes of occupational morbidity and mortality in these countries are the heavy physical work, often combined with heat stress, occupational accidents, pesticide poisonings, organic dusts and biological hazards. Most of the workers are exposed to hundreds of biological agents, viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi, moulds and organic dusts in their work places while some are exposed to hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses and tuberculosis infections (particularly among healthcare workers), asthma (among persons exposed to organic dust) and chronic parasitic diseases (particularly among agricultural and forestry workers). Blood-borne diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B are now major occupational hazards for healthcare workers. About 300-350 substances have been identified as occupational carcinogens. They include chemical substances such as benzene, chromium, nitrosamines and asbestos. Good occupational health means : * Placing people in suitable positions. * Providing treatment services. * Controlling hazards in the work environment * Avoiding potential risks * Supervising vulnerable groups * Educating workers and the management and providing counselling * Supervising sanitary and welfare facilities * Preventing environment pollution Natural way to achieve health by Dr. Danister L. Perera Ayurveda teaches the way to live a healthy life. Three factors are considered of great importance for the maintenance of health. These are called the three pillars of life. * Ahara (Food) * Nidra (Sleep) * Brahmacharya (Regulated sexual conduct) Ahara (food): If I ask you 'what is food?' You may say 'Food is just a mixture of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and trace elements.' But according to Ayurveda, food is not merely a mixture of the above nutrients. It is something more. Food is the material, which provides nutrition not only to the various organs and structures of the body, but also satisfies the mind and the soul. In Ayurveda there are lots of references, which suggest that one's diet has a direct influence on our mind; thereby affecting our thinking too. A large number of food items and drinks are described in Ayurveda. The methods of their preparation and rules of intake are described in good detail. The concept of Pathya and Apathya is unique. There are certain food items, which are wholesome to one person whilst unwholesome to others. It depends upon the nature of the diet (Vata provoking, Pitta provoking, Kapha provoking, Satvika, Rajas and Tamas) and the nature of the body type (Prakriti) of the person consuming the food. Consumption of a diet suitable for the constitution (body type) of that person always provides health. One should also remain aware about Viruddha (antagonistic) nature of food articles. There are some food items, which should not be consumed together, as these show toxic or unfavourable side effects. A few common examples of such combinations are fish with milk and honey and ghee (clarified butter oil) in equal quantity. A golden rule regarding the quantity of food intake is that approximately half of the stomach capacity should be filled with food and the other half should be left empty without food ingestion for water and movement of air. One should avoid physical exertion after the intake of a meal. A walk of a hundred steps followed by a little rest by lying down on your left side for 10 minutes is recommended after dinner. Next week Nidra Getting those nutritional essentials In a culture of the panchakalyani women have always known the importance of a good skin to her overall beauty. As a result there is a constant influx of skincare products claiming to nourish the skin and give it an everlasting radiance. However, real radiance is achieved when the skin is nourished from within, which would improve the blood circulation and in turn improve the texture, tone and clarity of the skin. The daily food pyramid plays an important role in helping to achieve that perfect skin. Apart from the basic food groups there are also some nutrients that get the job done more effectively... Beta carotene, Vitamin A which can be found in carrots, mangoes, papaya and pineapple helps to keep your skin healthy and free of blotches and pimples. Anti-oxidants which is found in red tomatoes, grape seeds and pine bark protects the skin from harmful Ultra Violet (UV) rays, improves blood circulation and moisturised the skin inside out. Vitamin C is a source of anti-oxidants and fights free radicals and keeps the skin smooth and wrinkle free. The most common source of Vitamin C is oranges, and also in broccoli, potatoes, guava, lemon, water melon and grapes. Vitamin E protects the skin from damage, while keeping it smooth and preventing premature aging. Marine protein is vital to strengthen the skin structure, improves texture and gives the skin a healthy glow. A proper eating habit is the best way to get these 'nutritional essentials' to start working for you, detoxifying your skin and making you glow from the inside out. Eating at least five serving of fruits and vegetable everyday, while cutting down on fatty foods and drinking one to two litres of water a day are just some habits that would help improve your skin. However, in today's fast paced world it is few that are privileged enough to have the time to adhere to good eating habits. For many of us having four meals a day is often a rare treat. However, medical science today has found an alternative option - dietary supplements. Dietary supplements have been accepted by people the world over, and taking a multi vitamin after meals has become routine. Pharmaceutical companies today have begun to manufacture dietary supplements for specific health needs, from strong bones, to an enhanced immune system to even a glowing beautiful skin. What differentiates the purpose of one dietary supplement from another are its nutrients. A skinscare dietary supplement for the skin would normally have Vitamins A, E and C, marine proteins, hydrolysed collagen, Lycopene, natural betacarotene and other carotinoids. It would also have extracts of pine bark, as well as green tea, grape seeds and tomato. It is also important to bear in mind that dietary supplements have never claimed to take the place to food and should not be thought of as a quick way to daily nutrition. However, they do help in filling the nutritional gap of less than perfect eating habits, and work together with your body to enrich and nourish it inside out. Reaching optimal health and beauty involves taking care of what you put into your body and the lifestyle you lead. If you are striving for a healthier skin you will also get a more beautiful skin as well, and if you strive for a beautiful skin this will promise you health as well. By treating your skin with respect and care it will give you back the glowing beauty you have always strived for. by Dr. O. H. Niranjani Priyadharshani Wickramasinghe (BSc.,
MSc. - Food Nutrition) Nutritionist and Dietician Durdans Private Hospital.
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| Produced by Lake House |
"Giving
too much of responsibilities and tasks to an unqualified worker not only
makes an unhappy working environment to him but also cuts down the number of
working days due to his poor health condition owing to 'stress'. Ultimately,
this will reflect on your profit" says Dr. H.D.B. Herath, Medical Officer,
Environmental and Occupational Health Unit of the Ministry of Health and
Nutrition. 
