Work related diseases, unlike occupational disease which has a direct cause-effect relationship between hazard and disease (eg. asbestos-asbestosis), are defined as multi factorial diseases among a working population when the work related diseases environment and the performance of work contribute significantly but as one of a number of factors to the causation of disease. Work related diseases which are partly caused by work, and/or aggravated, accelerated or exacerbated by occupational exposures, and/or the cause of impaired work capacity can also be partially caused by adverse work conditions. Personal characteristics, genetics, lifestyle and environmental and socio cultural factors usually play a role as risk factors for these diseases.
In 2004, Ass. Prof. Malcolm Sim of Monash University highlighted that in contrast to work related injuries that is traumatic, work related diseases is something which will tend to come on some time later after a latent period, like a cancer or respiratory disease. Hence, it is difficult to link the disease to the work environment because of the time lag although based on studies in Australia, work related diseases are very much common. For example it has been suggested that between 15 to 20% of adult asthma could be occupational in origin. He was also of the opinion that respiratory tract cancers, bladder cancers and leukemia can be related to work practices but they are not well recognized as work related diseases due to the disease itself having multiple causes.2
Common work related diseases are musculoskeletal disorders including Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome and Repetitive Strain Injury, heart disease, high blood pressure, work related cancer, respiratory/lungs diseases, skin disease, psychological disorders, stress diseases, and deafness. A specific example of work related diseases and the percentage in a population can be described by a survey conducted in the United Kingdom (UK). The Occupational Physicians' Reporting Activity (OPRA) surveillance scheme for occupational physicians which was conducted for 4 years (1996-1999), estimated 43,764 new cases of work-related disease have been reported. Musculoskeletal conditions make up nearly half (49%) of all cases; mental ill-health and skin disease account for 20% each, with respiratory conditions (8%) and hearing loss (5%) seen in lower proportions. Overall, eight of 42 diagnoses made up four-fifths of the new cases reported by occupational physicians. These were hand and arm disorders (8052 estimated cases), contact dermatitis (7104), disorders of the lumbar spine (6000), anxiety and depression (4788), work-related stress (3336), hearing loss (2100), elbow disorders (2040), and asthma (1680). Dermatitis and hearing loss were most frequent in manufacturing industries, lower back complaints in healthcare, and upper limb disorders in automotive manufacture. Psychiatric illnesses presented a different pattern, mainly affecting those in health, education and social service.3
Common work related diseases are musculoskeletal disorders including Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome and Repetitive Strain Injury, heart disease, high blood pressure, work related cancer, respiratory/lungs diseases, skin disease, psychological disorders, stress diseases, and deafness. A specific example of work related diseases and the percentage in a population can be described by a survey conducted in the United Kingdom (UK). The Occupational Physicians' Reporting Activity (OPRA) surveillance scheme for occupational physicians which was conducted for 4 years (1996-1999), estimated 43,764 new cases of work-related disease have been reported. Musculoskeletal conditions make up nearly half (49%) of all cases; mental ill-health and skin disease account for 20% each, with respiratory conditions (8%) and hearing loss (5%) seen in lower proportions. Overall, eight of 42 diagnoses made up four-fifths of the new cases reported by occupational physicians. These were hand and arm disorders (8052 estimated cases), contact dermatitis (7104), disorders of the lumbar spine (6000), anxiety and depression (4788), work-related stress (3336), hearing loss (2100), elbow disorders (2040), and asthma (1680). Dermatitis and hearing loss were most frequent in manufacturing industries, lower back complaints in healthcare, and upper limb disorders in automotive manufacture. Psychiatric illnesses presented a different pattern, mainly affecting those in health, education and social service.3
“Decent Work Must Also Be Safe Work”
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