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121. New and emerging risks in occupational medicine. Occupational diseases of health care workers and prevention. Occupational accidents.
- (This topic is slightly different since the 2021 spring topic list. See the top of the page.)
- New and emerging risks in occupational medicine
- New and emerging risk = new and increasing risk
- New risk =
- Caused by new technology or processes
- Old issue newly considered to be a risk
- Increasing risk =
- The number of hazards leading to the risk is growing
- The likelihood of exposure to the hazard is increasing
- The effect of the hazard on health is getting worse
- As the world of work changes, due to globalization, technical innovation, automation, and ageing, new and emerging risks occur
- New and emerging physical risks
- Physical inactivity -> metabolic diseases, musculoskeletal disorders
- Increased computer and mobile device use
- New and emerging psychosocial risks
- Job insecurity
- Increased physical and emotional demands at work
- Difficult work-life balance
- Occupational diseases of health care workers
- Health care workers are exposed to many sources of infection
- Collecting and processing biological material
- Performing invasive procedures
- Taking care of patients
- Disinfecting or otherwise touching contaminated equipment
- Health hazards
- Infectious diseases
- Airborne infections (TB, MMR, influenza, etc.)
- Faecal-oral transmission (salmonella, shigella, E. coli, etc.)
- Direct contact (HSV, S. aureus, Pseudomonas, etc.)
- Heavy lifting
- Long working hours
- Radiation
- Noise
- Prevention
- Risk assessment and reduction
- Workers must be informed on risks and trained
- Regular health surveillance
- Workers with symptoms should stay home
- Vaccination
- Proper hygiene
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Gloves
- Masks
- Face masks
- etc.
- Occupational accidents
- Safety = working in such a way that health is not jeopardised
- Most non-fatal and fatal occupational accidents occur on industrial sites, especially construction
- Many fatal accidents are due to losing control of a machine, tool, or equipment
- Prevention
- Proper training and use of machines, tools, equipment
- Use of protection (helmet, goggles, face shields, protective shoes)