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Questions and Answers
What is a primary characteristic that distinguishes occupational diseases from work-related diseases?
What is a primary characteristic that distinguishes occupational diseases from work-related diseases?
How does the World Health Organization define health promotion?
How does the World Health Organization define health promotion?
Which statement best describes the relationship between workplace conditions and health promotion?
Which statement best describes the relationship between workplace conditions and health promotion?
What is a common misconception about work-related diseases?
What is a common misconception about work-related diseases?
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Which of the following statements is true regarding the notifiability and compensability of work-related and occupational diseases?
Which of the following statements is true regarding the notifiability and compensability of work-related and occupational diseases?
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What is the primary goal of periodic medical examinations in occupational health?
What is the primary goal of periodic medical examinations in occupational health?
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Which group of workers is most likely required to undergo periodic medical examinations?
Which group of workers is most likely required to undergo periodic medical examinations?
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Who is usually authorized to perform statutory periodic medical examinations?
Who is usually authorized to perform statutory periodic medical examinations?
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What action can be taken if a worker is found to show signs of overexposure during a medical examination?
What action can be taken if a worker is found to show signs of overexposure during a medical examination?
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What is the purpose of notifying the government of suspected occupational diseases?
What is the purpose of notifying the government of suspected occupational diseases?
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Which of the following categories of employees is commonly required to undergo ongoing fitness assessments?
Which of the following categories of employees is commonly required to undergo ongoing fitness assessments?
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What is the role of occupational health and safety professionals in the context of notifiable occupational diseases?
What is the role of occupational health and safety professionals in the context of notifiable occupational diseases?
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What consequence can arise from the detection of signs of overexposure to a workplace hazard?
What consequence can arise from the detection of signs of overexposure to a workplace hazard?
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What is the primary goal of pre-employment medical examinations in the context of occupational health?
What is the primary goal of pre-employment medical examinations in the context of occupational health?
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Which of the following is considered a secondary prevention strategy in occupational health?
Which of the following is considered a secondary prevention strategy in occupational health?
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In the context of workers' compensation, what must a worker prove to successfully sue their employer under common law for negligence?
In the context of workers' compensation, what must a worker prove to successfully sue their employer under common law for negligence?
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Which of the following best describes 'work-related diseases'?
Which of the following best describes 'work-related diseases'?
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What is the primary function of active case finding in occupational health?
What is the primary function of active case finding in occupational health?
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What is typically required before making final assessments for disability in injured workers?
What is typically required before making final assessments for disability in injured workers?
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Which type of monitoring is primarily used to assess the effectiveness of engineering controls in reducing health risks?
Which type of monitoring is primarily used to assess the effectiveness of engineering controls in reducing health risks?
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Which of the following is NOT part of primary prevention strategies in occupational health?
Which of the following is NOT part of primary prevention strategies in occupational health?
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Study Notes
Occupational Health
- Defined by a joint committee of WHO and ILO in 1950 as the "promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental, and social well-being of workers in all occupations."
- Emphasizes health rather than disease, and includes multidisciplinary responsibility for providing health services to working populations.
- Documented history of work-related diseases dates back to antiquity.
- Imhotep (2780 BC), an engineer, architect, physician, and priest, described occupational injuries and spinal problems among pyramid builders.
- Hippocrates (460-377 BC) and Galen stressed environmental factors in illness, noting diseases specific to various occupations like metalworkers, tailors, and miners.
- Hippocratic medicine generally did not focus on the health hazards of particular occupations due to the low social standing of workers. Societal stigma and the lack of time for non-labour were factors.
- In Middle Ages, Georgius Agricola (1494-1555) documented miner's consumptive lung disease in his work, De re Metallica.
- Paracelsus (1493-1541) wrote about pulmonary issues and mercury-related illnesses among miners and smelters.
- Bernardino Ramazzini (1633-1714), the "Father of Occupational Medicine," published De Morbis Artificum Diatriba (1700), a foundational text on occupational diseases.
Early Occupational Health Legislation
- Act for Better Regulation of Chimney Sweeps (1788) in England aimed for improvement and the prevention of occupational cancer of chimney sweeps.
- Health and Morals of Apprentices Act (1802) focused on restrictions of working hours, factory hygiene, and ventilation.
- Mines Act (1842) in England prohibited women and children from working in mines, marking a shift toward worker protection legislation.
Costs and Assessments of Risk
- Significant costs are associated with work-related health issues.
- Risk assessment (qualitative or quantitative) of hazards is crucial for health protection. Factors include the toxicity of substances, the number of people exposed, and acceptance of risk (possibly by legal constraints, cost, and control availability)
- Distinction between hazards and risks.
- Hazards are potential sources of harm (e.g., physical, chemical, biological), while risks estimate the likelihood and implications of those hazards.
Prevention Strategies
- Primary prevention focuses on proactively eliminating hazards or lowering worker exposure (e.g., eliminating asbestos, noise controls).
- Secondary prevention detects early signs of issues before they worsen, through regular monitoring and screening.
- Tertiary prevention addresses existing illnesses by managing consequences of the disease (e.g., rehabilitation, treatment).
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Description
Explore the fundamental concepts of occupational health as defined by WHO and ILO. This quiz covers historical perspectives, the importance of worker well-being, and the multidisciplinary approach to health services for workers. Learn how health has been viewed through the ages and the documentation of work-related diseases.
