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First off, occupational hazards in various industries can affect employees’ health and cause occupational diseases in severe cases. A sickness referred to as an occupational disease is one that is connected to a particular job or industry. The International Labor Organization (ILO) defines occupational diseases as those having a specific or strong relationship with exposure to physical, chemical, biological, or psychosocial factors at work, and these environmental factors are the predominant causes of such diseases. Thus, many biological, chemical, physical, and psychological elements that present in the workplace contribute to the development of these diseases.

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WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES?

1. Dermatitis

– According to NIOSH, allergic and irritant dermatitis (also known as ‘contact dermatitis’) is the most important cause of occupational skin diseases, and account for 15 to 20 per cent of all reported occupational diseases in the U.S. Contact dermatitis is caused by a wide array of physical, biological or chemical agents. NIOSH also cites a study saying that 75 per cent of patients with occupational contact dermatitis end up developing chronic skin diseases.

2. Respiratory Illnesses

– This includes asthma, disease of the lung and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). According to Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW), asthma is considered to be the most common occupational lung disease in Canada. Besides, the OHCOW states that there are over 300 chemicals in the workplace that are known to cause asthma with the disease being most prevalent in the auto parts, foam and plastic manufacturing industries. Additionally, The International Labor Organization (ILO)  lists work-related asthma as being caused by sensitizing agents or irritants.

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3. Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)

– MSDs are prevalent in most workplaces, even in office settings. Indeed, office workers may be at risk of repetitive strain injuries (RSI) such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis. According to Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS), it is reported that MSDs account for 43 per cent of all work-related injuries. What’s more, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) says that most work-related MSDs develop over time and can be caused by repetitive movements, awkward positions, handling loads, high work demands, lack of breaks, etc.

4. Hearing Loss

– The National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) conducted a study from 2000 – 2008 among U.S. workers who had higher occupational noise exposures than the general population. From their research, they discovered that 18 per cent of their surveyed sample had hearing loss. NIOSH says that workers in the mining, construction and manufacturing industries need better hearing conservation strategies. Owing to this, loss and auditory issues are also a problem in hospitality and healthcare settings.

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5. Cancer

– In addition to the above findings, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (NIOSH) also reported that cancer accounts for 24 per cent of global work-related deaths. Occupational cancers, in regards to their study, occur when workers are in contact with carcinogenic substances in the workplace settings whereby certain substances are associated with different cancers, and certain carcinogens can be especially prevalent in certain industries. For instance, Asbestos-related diseases are now some of the most well-known incidences of occupational disease. These include cancers such as lung cancer, gastro-intestinal cancer, cancer of the larynx or pharynx and mesothelioma (a cancer which occurs in the thin layer of tissue covering most internal organs). Asbestos exposure is the number one cause of occupational death in Canada.

6. Stress and Mental Health Disorders (PTSD)

Multiple sources address that mental health disorders can also be considered as occupational diseases in certain contexts. Post-traumatic stress disorder (the so-called PTSD), for example, is most commonly cited among particular studies. PTSD can affect workers in high pressure workplaces, such as the military or law enforcement. According to 2013 statistics presented by the Canadian Mental Health Association, 8 per cent of Canadians who experience a traumatic event unfortunately tend to develop PTSD.