9.8 Health Hazards at Work

Often when we think of hazards in the workplace we tend to think of the harm that can be done by equipment and tools. However, workplace hazards are much more extensive and can, for example, be comprised of illness, psychological health, and issues relating to the the type of work being performed. In the following section, we will review various types of workplace hazards.

Health Incidents

The main different types of  health incidents that can occur are:

Occupational illness

One such illness that has received wide attention in the media is that of the consequences of working with Asbestos. Think about all of the workers who were affected by working with Asbestos, whether it be the construction workers or the miners.

Other Safety Concerns

Stress management, office-related injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, and no-fragrance areas are all contemporary issues surrounding employee health and safety. In addition, given our new reality, employer’s need to also have provisions in place for communicable diseases such as COVID-19. Let’s have a closer look at the most common issues experienced at work.

Cumulative Trauma Disorders

Cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) are injuries to the fingers, hands, arms, or shoulders that result from repetitive motions such as typing.

Carpal tunnel syndrome, or CTS, is a common cumulative disorder in which the hand and wrist is particularly affected. According to one study of CTS (Matias, et. al., 1998), the percentage of a workday at a computer, posture while at the workstation, and the individual’s body features all contribute to this workplace issue. More recently, CTD can be found in people who text a lot or use their smartphones to type or surf the Internet. There are a number of keyboards, chairs, and other devices that can help limit or prevent CTD issues.

Chemical and Fragrance Sensitivities

Some people have multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) or environmental illness (EI). MCS or EI is the inability to tolerate an environmental chemical or class of foreign chemicals. Symptoms can include headache, dizziness, inability to breathe, muscle pain, and many more depending on the person. As a result, implementing policies surrounding MCS may be not only a legal requirement but a best practice to keep employees safe and healthy in the workplace. Some examples of such policies might include the following:

• Institute a fragrance-free workplace policy (e.g., no scented lotions, hair products, or perfumes).
• Limit use of restroom air fresheners, cleaning agents, and candles.
• Ensure the ventilation system is in good working order.
• Provide a workspace with windows where possible.
• Consider providing an alternate workspace.
• Be cautious of remodels, renovations, and other projects that may cause excessive dust and odours.

If an organization is going to implement a fragrance-free work policy, this is normally addressed under the dress code area of the organization’s employee manual. However, many employers are reluctant to require employees to refrain from wearing or using scented products. In this case, rather than creating a policy, it might be worthwhile to simply request a fragrance-free zone from employees through e-mail and other means of communication. An example of such a policy is used by Kaiser Permanente:

Chemicals

Chemicals should be labelled in English, and employees must be able to cross-reference the chemicals to the materials safety data sheet, which describes how the chemicals should be handled.

In Canada, the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) gives directives on how to properly label, use, manage, store and dispose of chemical substances. WHMIS.org

It is estimated that 1,200 new chemicals are developed in North America alone every year (International Labour Organization, 2011). For many of these chemicals, little is known about their immediate or long-term effects on the health of workers who come into contact with them. As a result, policies should be developed on how chemicals should be handled, and proper warnings should be given as to the harmful effects of any chemicals found in a job site.