HAZARDS OF OCCUPATION In the pursuit of a livelihood wage earners are exposed to varying risks and hazards, some of which are peculiar to their occupation while others arise as a result of their own or some one else's carelessness. We shall consider briefly the more important of these.
i. From the standpoint of the number and gravity of the hazards encountered the principal occupations of mankind may be grouped as follows: Occupational class Character of hazards A. Manufacturing and Mechanical (a) Unsanitary home environment.
Industries (b) Employment in unhygienic sur roundings.
(c) Inadequate lighting and ventilation.
(d) Inadequate toilet facilities.
(e) Infection.
(f) Dust, fumes and poisons.
(g Unguarded, carelessy operated, or defective machinery.
(h) Fire hazards, increased air pressure.
B. Transportation (railroad men and sailors). (a) Same as above.
C. Construction Work. (a) Same as above.
D. Mining and the extraction of minerals. a) Unsanitary home environment.
(b) Premature explosions.
(c) Fire damp, fires and dust.
d) Unguarded and defective machinery. (e) Fall of roof.
(1) Poisons.
(g) Underground work, excessive heat or moisture.
E. Agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry. (a) Unsanitary home environment.
(b) Accidents from machinery and timber.
(c) Infection from livestock.
(a) Defective hygienic conditions.
F. Mercantile and Clerical Pursuits.
(b) Inactivity, fatigue.
G. Individual service, public, pro fessional and domestic (a) No distinctive hazards.
From the foregoing it can be seen that different occupations vary in the number and variety of hazards encountered, some are common to many, others are peculiar to a group. We shall next consider the principal individual hazards, their danger and the means of their amelioration.
2. Unsanitary Home Environment.—The development of manufacturing industries, mines, or construction enterprises is frequently in situations inconveniently distant from previously existing cities or towns, or the number of workmen required for the enterprise is far greater than the number of vacant homes available. For this reason large companies have frequently built residence towns or additions to existing towns to accom modate their employees. Many of these towns and the dwell ings which comprise them have been constructed with very little thought to the welfare of those who must occupy them. The
houses may be illy lighted or ventilated, water supply and excreta disposal are inadequate, mosquito breeding is permitted and gross overcrowding may prevail. On the other hand many enlightened corporations have constructed towns of model dwellings.
Some rural or agricultural homes are fully as bad or even worse than those in the slum districts of large cities.
3. Inadequate Ventilation.—Many industrial processes give rise to dust and fumes, some of which are poisonous. In the vicinity of furnaces and open flames the oxygen content of the air is frequently much below normal, and the air may also be very smoky. Under these conditions the air is certain to be very hot, or under other conditions may be excessively humid as well. For this condition exhaust ventilation is the best remedy, with the exhaust intakes placed close to the situations where dust or fumes are produced.
4. Inadequate Lighting.—Natural illumination is frequently insufficient. Artificial illumination is likewise frequently in sufficient or improperly employed, so that the work is poorly illuminated or the light shines in the workmen's eyes. Where a blinding illumination must be tolerated goggles are necessary.
5. Excessive Heat.—The bad effects of excessive heat may be counterbalanced by the use of goggles, body shields, air blasts, fans and water sprays. The workmen exposed to excessive heat should have a short work day, and shower baths should be avail able for their use when leaving work.
6. Fatigue and Inactivity.—Fatigue is the chief cause of accidents from carelessness and furthermore decreases produc tion. It arises from laborious work, long hours, piece work, speeding up practices, monotony, constant standing or a con stant strained position, the use of chairs or stools without backs, faulty postures, jarring operations, the pressing or hold ing of objects against the body, eyestrain, loud noises, irregular hours of sleep and the absence of work variation or periods of relaxation. Similarly the inactivity of the sedentary worker induces fatigue. It is one of the most important problems in industrial hygiene.