Industrial Job Hazards - Occupational health problems- radioactive materials - chemicals

INDUSTRIAL JOB HAZARDS 

Certain types of jobs in industry, of course, involve more hazards than others-for example, those requiring the mixing of chemicals or use of blowtorch, drilling equipment, baking, meat handling, construction, lumbering, mining, and work with radioactive materials. Often, several sources of danger are involved, some peculiar to the particular job and others common to many types of work. 

Yet, no matter how many sources of danger there are, it is possible to take precautions against them. A good example of the fact that precautions can be taken and there is little excuse for many industrial accidents is welding. Here is an occupation that carries with it four major threats to health and life: electrical shocks and burns; burns from gas flames and splashes of hot metal; damage to eyes and skin from the rays of powerful arc lights; and bad air produced by chemical fumes. 

Yet, during World War II when it became essential, women without any previous experience at all in heavy industry and new workers without previous experience in welding were quickly and effectively trained to weld-and to weld safely. Your employer should supply you with equipment and instructions needed to reduce or eliminate risks you face. Your union may have further information to provide. 

You should acquaint yourself with any and all dangers you may be up against-and never become lax. 

Agricultural related work problems - Agricultural Chemicals-Bacteria

New agricultural chemicals are being introduced frequently. They are of value in killing weeds, enriching the soil, eradicating insects and rodents, and cleaning animal areas. But they must be used with care, following manufacturers' directions to the letter. In case of any question, however seemingly unimportant, your county agricultural agent or health department can advise and help. 

Be especially careful about handling or breathing chemicals. If you have to dispose of any unused portions, bury them in containers. Don't burn them, since they may release harmful fumes; and don't bury them in the ground unpackaged, since they may contaminate water supplies. Rural Medical Facilities Comprehensive hospital facilities, specialized medical equipment, and the advice of medical and surgical specialists are not readily available in most farming communities. 

Your own physician, like any other physician, cannot be expected to handle every conceivable type of medical and surgical problem. He will advise consultation with a specialist when necessary. For serious illness he will also help arrange for you to be admitted to the nearest medical center when necessary.

And when he deems it essential, you should make every effort to get the best specialized medical care even if it means taking a trip of several hundred miles to the nearest medical center or specialist. 

The fact is, as emphasized throughout this book, that good medical care today, when begun at the proper time, can do much not only to provide relief for a problem but also can include measures which, even if they are unable sometimes to cure, can retard or arrest a disease process so it does not progress relentlessly. This is a major function of preventive medicine.