Sources of occupational disease hazards and control methods

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Poor working conditions involve various occupational hazards, which can be classified into 3 categories based on their source: 1. Hazardous factors generated during the production process – Chemical factors: toxic substances such as lead, mercury, benzene, arsenic, manganese, cadmium, thallium, chlorine, carbon monoxide, and organophosphorus pesticides； Productive dusts: Inorganic dusts such as silica dust, asbestos dust, coal dust, etc.; organic dusts such as cotton dust, **, flax, tobacco, tea leaves, etc.; mixed dusts; as well as radioactive dusts ； Physical factors: adverse weather conditions such as high temperatures, high humidity, low temperatures, high air pressure, low air pressure, as well as noise, vibration, high-frequency electromagnetic fields, microwaves, infrared rays, ultraviolet rays, lasers, X-rays, and gamma rays ； Biological factors: such as anthrax bacteria attached to fur, molds on sucrose, as well as Brucella and forest encephalitis virus. 2. Harmful factors during work, unreasonable work organization and systems: such as excessive working hours, and inadequate or imperfect rest arrangements ； Excessive mental stress at work ； Excessive work intensity or improper work scheduling: such as tasks assigned that are not suited to the workers’ physical conditions, overly high production quotas, and forced overtime work ； Excessive strain on certain organs or systems: such as visual fatigue caused by prolonged eye strain from using the eyes for long periods of time ； Staying in an awkward position for a long time or using improper tools. 3. Hazardous factors in the production environment: The design of the production site does not meet health standards or requirements, such as low and narrow buildings, unreasonable layout, and the placement of toxic and non-toxic areas together ； Lack of necessary hygiene and technical measures, such as no ventilation, lighting, dust prevention, poison prevention, or noise and vibration control equipment, or these measures are ineffective ； The protective measures against occupational disease hazards and personal protective equipment are incomplete. In actual production environments, occupational disease hazards often do not exist in isolation; rather, multiple factors act simultaneously on workers’ health, resulting in greater risks. 6 methods for controlling occupational disease hazards to help businesses and employees stay away from such hazards. I. Substitution: Replace highly toxic materials with non-toxic or low-toxic materials. Substitution is the best way to eliminate or reduce hazards. II. Enclosure: Mechanize or automate the processes, and enclose those that involve harmful substances to prevent employees from coming into contact with them. III. Isolation: Isolating hazardous processes can reduce the number of people exposed to hazards. IV. Engineering control measures 1. Local exhaust ventilation system – Directly remove harmful substances at their source to prevent employees from inhaling them. 2. Ventilation system – Introduces a large amount of fresh air to dilute the concentration of harmful substances in the air. 3. Wet operations – allow control over the dispersion of dust generated during the process. 4. Plant design – Preventing occupational hazards is best started at the design stage of the plant. Construct factory buildings that meet the specified requirements. 5. Maintenance and improvement – Regular maintenance helps keep the machinery in optimal condition. V. Administrative control measures: 1. Employee education and training; 2. Personal hygiene; 3. Cleanliness of the workplace; 4. Material labeling; 5. Rotating shifts; 6. Environmental monitoring; 7. Employee health checks. VI. Use of personal protective equipment: Personal protective equipment must meet relevant standards, be suitable for the working environment at hand, and address the identified hazard factors. Personal protective equipment needs to be maintained and cleaned to be ready for use at any time.