Occupational health risks affect 70% of adult men and 60% of adult women worldwide, with common risks including structural failures, musculoskeletal disorders, hearing loss, and exposure to chemicals and biological agents. These hazards affect workers in both developed and undeveloped countries.
Occupational health risks refer to the potential risks to the health and safety of those who work outside the home. According to the World Health Organization, this accounts for about 70% of adult men and up to 60% of adult women worldwide, and an estimated 40 million adults enter the global workforce each year. Of course, the specific occupational risks faced by this large and growing number of people depend on the region and its economic position, but there are some common risks faced by workers around the world.
Topping the list internationally are structural failures and mechanical accidents. This includes structures vulnerable to severe weather conditions, moving and/or unprotected parts of machinery, or general equipment failures. These occupational health hazards exist fairly equally in developed and undeveloped countries, regardless of industry.
One of the most common workplace injuries occurring globally is the development of musculoskeletal disorders caused by heavy lifting and performing activities that require repetitive motion. These occupational health risks are also responsible for the majority of disability claims, whether temporary, long-term or permanent. Muscle injuries due to physical stress occur more often in occupations such as construction and agriculture, while repetitive motion injuries are more often sustained in service-related environments that typically involve heavy typing and data entry . Ergonomically poor working conditions and equipment also fall into this category.
Hearing loss is another danger faced by those working in industries such as construction and manufacturing. In fact, hearing loss ranks among mechanical hazards as one of the most common occupational health hazards in both developed and developing countries. Typically, this problem occurs over time from chronic exposure to noisy machinery without the use of headphones designed to protect your hearing. Long-term exposure to vibrations can also contribute to hearing loss.
Exposure to chemicals and other biological agents is one of the most common and most damaging occupational hazards affecting many industries. Health risks from these hazards include liver damage, cancer, and reproductive harm from chronic exposure to pesticides, heavy metals, and corrosives. Health care workers are particularly at risk of contracting diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and hepatitis B and C. Others, such as those working in agriculture, are at increased risk of infections caused by fungi and parasites. Other groups are affected by a high incidence of skin and respiratory disorders due to exposure to allergens such as molds, bacteria and organic dusts.
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