Occupational Diseases

In the United States labor law ensures the safety and health of workers and provides them with compensation for occupational injury. The Occupational Safety and Heath Administration regulate the safety at workplace. In the United States approximately one million people die every year due to occupational exposure. These diseases are caused by toxic exposure of welding rod fumes, agriculture pesticides, asbestos, chemicals and other dangerous materials. Lung disease, blood disorders, several types of cancer and lung ailments.

Occupational Diseases and Occupational Injury are poles apart

There are many risks involved in employment in the high-tech and industrialized society. Employees are exposed to various diseases and work associated accidents such as whiplash, slip and fall injuries, cuts and lacerations, head contusions and other injuries. Repeated and prolonged exposure to hazardous chemicals and byproducts causes diseases like cancer, birth defects, lung and kidney ailments, heart disease etc. Though the burden of illness and injuries is beared by employers, workers should be aware of the difference between occupational illness and injury.

An occupational disease sustained during the illness that is typical to the workers of a particular profession. For example – carpal tunnel syndrome is associated with the people working in computer sector and black lung disease is linked to miners. Occupational illness is commonly caused due to the prolonged and repeated exposure to dangerous chemicals or substances and working conditions. Following are the examples of occupational disease:

1. Asbestosis
2. Silicosis
3. Various forms of cancer
4. Carpal tunnel syndrome

Contact a doctor if you think that you are suffering from work related disease, injury or illness. It is advised to get proper Medicare and diagnosis. Diseases like mesothelioma develop after many years of chemical exposure, thus, preventing early diagnosis. After getting proper Medicare, you should seek advice of an experience lawyer so that you may file a potential lawsuit against your employer or against the company. He will suggest whether your allegations are strong enough to win you compensation or not.

Occupational Risks and Silicosis

Silicosis is found in the workers who inhale silica dust into the lungs. It is found in workers at the mining, refinery and foundry industries. Silicosis develops gradually with no or few symptoms but it can lead to hazardous diseases like lung transplants, cancer, tuberculosis, kidney ailments or even death. Silicosis is a preventable disease. Symptoms of silicosis include change in breathing patterns, coughing, chest pain loss of appetite, shortness of breath and fever.

It is a fibronodular lung disease, commonly found in people working in raw material plants, mining, refractories, sandblasting, refineries, casting plants and foundries. Silica is a mineral found in rock and salt. In fact, it is the second most commonly found mineral in earths crust. Silica, when inhaled leaves scars and inflames the lung tissue.

When the body is exposed to silica for the first time, it releases macrophages to combat the silica particles. However, the repeated and prolonged exposure to silica destroys macrophages. This leaves scars on the lung called fibrosis. Fibrosis interferes the functioning of the lung causing further lung ailments. People working at the following industries are at the risk of silica exposure:

1. Furnace installers and repairs
2. Foundry workers
3. Sandblasters
4. Refractory workers
5. Casting workers
6. Miners
7. Raw material Handlers
8. Refinery workers

Workers in these industries handle particles of glass, rock or sand bare handedly. People who are exposed to low doses of silica for more than 10 years are at the high risk of suffering from chronic silicosis. Accelerated silicosis occurs in the people who inhale large amount of silica for a period of five to ten years. In majority of the cases, silicosis develops over a long period. Acute silicosis is the result of highest level of exposure and may develop within weeks or five years of actual exposure. At the beginning stage, there are only few symptoms of silica exposure. These symptoms include shortness of breath, fever, loss of appetite, change in breathing patterns, coughing and chest pain. In the severe cases of silicosis a patient may require lung transplant, may increased the risk of developing lung cancer or even death. Chest x-rays, tests for pulmonary functions or skin tests to diagnose tuberculosis are few tests conducted by doctors to diagnose silicosis. Until now, silicosis is incurable.

Patients suffering from silicosis should keep themselves away from further silica exposure. Symptoms like coughing, fever and chest pain can be treated. In case of lung infections, antibiotics can be added to the treatment.

According to Occupational Safety and Health Organi9sation, the best way to keep away from silicosis is to use safety equipments when exposed to silica. When companies fail to adopt the guidelines to prevent silicosis, only then patients develop it. Workers who are not provided with safety equipments can file case against their employer. The workers are compensated for the damages caused to them due to exposure to silica. If, due to silica exposure, worker has died than their family members may file a lawsuit against the employer.