Occupational Health Hazards vis-à-vis Industrial Safety and Environmental Degradation – Case Studies

Abstract

The development of a country depends on its industrialization. But industry, whatsoever it may be is polluting the environment very promptly and deeply, in the form of air, water, flora, fauna, landscape etc. Due to this pollution, ecological imbalance occurs resulting in different kind of health problems. World health organization (WHO) has recommended the standards of permissible pollutants and if it exceeds then precautionary or preventive measures have to be taken to improve the quality of life. For example, in drinking water different toxic and non-toxic elements are present so certain standards have fixed up. Based on their socio-economic conditions and immunity level of the local residents, the permissible limits varies from country to country. Similar types of recommendation are for maintaining air quality. Case studies are initiated to measure the different pollutants and their effect on human health. Likewise, we learn more about the complex interaction among psychological, psycho-social and physical factors in the etiology of work-related illness and injury. Risks to health and safety in the industry posed by longer shift lengths, higher workloads, less task variation and decision latitude have not really been well researched. Heavy physical workloads and stresses are still areas of concern. The contribution of slips, trips and falls and increasing age of miners to manual handling injuries are still not clear. In some cases sedentary work and the operation of machinery has completely replaced heavy physical work. The issues of machinery design for operations and maintenance and whole-body vibration exposures when operating machines and vehicles are becoming more critical. The link between prolonged sitting, poor cab design and vibration with back and neck pain are being recognized but have yet to be addressed in any systematic way. Using the principle “prevention is better than cure” the emphasis is laid to change to a broader occupational health and safety (OHS) focus. Longer work hours are part of a drive for greater worker productivity. In this paper, case studies were conducted to analyze different working conditions considering longer shifts, stress and fatigue, more task variety, jobs conditions etc. while finding out to reduce accidents and to enhance industrial safety.