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)