Transcript Slide 1
Physical hazards
Dr Majid Golabadi
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Ergonomic
Psychosocial
PHYSICAL HAZARDS
Noise
Temperature
Vibration
Radiation
Atmospheric pressure
Temperature
Heat
Cold
Noise
Hearing loss
Vibration
Whole body
Hand arm
Radiation
Ionizing
Alpha,ß,
X,gama
Non-ionizing
EMF, Radiofrequency ,Microwave
Infrared (IR), Visible ,Ultraviolet (UV)
Atmospheric pressure
Compress
Decompression (caisson )
Vibration
8-10 million workers in the USA exposed to
occupational vibration.
Of these 7 million: Whole Body Vibration.
Others: Hand Arm Vibration.
Injury
Loss of equilibrium
Nausea
HAVS
CTS
Truck drivers & heavy equipment operators:
Lumbar spinal disorders
Hemorrhoids
Hernia
GI problems
Urinary tract problems
Result of extended sitting+ vibration
Resonance (amplification):
Vibration of the same frequency .
WBV: 5 Hz
WBV: <20 HZ
Critical :3-5 Hz
Discomfort:2-11 Hz
Musculoskeletal, neurologic, circulatory, and digestive
system disorders.
Visual performance impairment: 10-25Hz
LBP ,intervertebral disc damage, spinal degeneration,
intervertebral osteochondrosis, calcification of discs.
Reproductive effects: SAB, congenital malformation,
menstrual changes.
Vibration sickness:
GI problems, decreased visual acuity, labyrintine
disorders, intense musculoskeletal pain.
Vibration induced white finger (HAVS)
Ranging from 5-1500 Hz
Usually 125-300 Hz
Cumulative trauma: at least 2000 hours and usually
over 8000 hours.
HAVS:
Spasm of digital arteries (raynaud phenomenon):
damage of
Peripheral nerve
Vascular tissue
Subcutaneous tissue
Bones
joints
Pathology:
Arterial muscle wall hypertrophy
Demyelinating pripheral neuropathy
Connective tissue deposition
Micro vascular occlusion
Clinical findings:
Severe attacks:15 minutes to 2hours
remove from exposures: reversible in 50%
symptoms:
Tingling then numbness then white finger in cold.
Intermittent blanching of tip of one finger.
Progress to tip and base of all fingers.
Progress to summer season.
Advanced cases:
Degeneration of bone & cartilage resulting:
Joint stiffness, restriction of motion, arthralgia.
Manual dexterity may decrease.
Clumsiness may increase.
Diagnosis:
Exposure history & response to cold.
Association with Raynaud phenomenon.
Exclusion of idiopathic Raynaud disease & other
causes of Raynaud phenomenon.
Other causes of Raynaud phenomenon:
Trauma
Frostbite
Occlusive vascular disease
Connective tissue disorders
Neurogenic disorders
Drug intoxication
Vinyl chloride monomer
Prevention:
Wearing gloves
Keep the hands warm
Prevent long period of exposures
Training
Avoidance from:
Vasoactive drugs & cigarette smoking
Treatment:
Removal from exposure
Massaging, shaking, placing in warm water
For intractable episodes:
Nifedipin 30-40mg/day
Thymoxamine
For more sever cases:
Stanozolol
PGE
Biofeedback & surgical sympathectomy