Health problems can arise as a result of many different factors. They’re often directly linked to our jobs and the activities we do throughout the working day. This happens to millions of people around the world every year. We often have to push ourselves to the limit to get the work done and earn a living. Sometimes, these problems can be very minor. In other instances, health problems arising from our jobs can even be fatal. It’s worth being aware of all the different issues that can affect you when you go to work. You might be able to take steps to prevent injuries and health problems when you know what you’re at risk of.
Another good reason to educate yourself and learn more relates to how you can get compensation if something does happen to you. There are many people out there who suffer greatly as a result of their employer’s negligence or bad practices. It’s always best to take action against that kind of thing rather than allowing them to simply get away with it. The money you get could help to treat the condition you’re dealing with. This might not be necessary in many cases of work-related health problems. But there are plenty of conditions that it will apply to. Read on to find out more about work-related health problems and what you can do about them.
Vibration Problems
Working with power tools is something that many people do. But if you do this all day, every day for years or even decades, it can take its toll on your body. I’m not talking about the noise, although that will be discussed below. The vibration caused by power tools can pass through your body and cause hand-arm vibration syndrome.
This can cause loss of feeling or shaking in the sufferer. It’s important that people are not asked to use power tools for too long without a break. And the correct protective gloves must also be provided by the employer. Doing that will make you safer.
Ear Damage and Hearing Loss
Many workplaces are noisy. I’m not talking about the kind of noisy where you get distracted by the people talking at the next desk. I mean noises so loud that they are capable of damaging your hearing. People who work on building sites, near loud transport of work with electrical power tools can all suffer ear damage or hearing loss.
It’s not just about one loud noise causing your damage. It’s more commonly about being exposed to loud noises consistently over a period of years. The right ear protection is the only way to prevent this. You can get compensation from employers who don’t provide you with the right ear protection at work.
Dermatitis
If you spot any redness, itching, rashes, hives or blisters on your skin, this could be a sign that you have a dermatitis problem. It’s not a particularly pleasant problem to deal with, but it should definitely be taken seriously. If you work with chemicals or you use your hands a lot when working, this problem will be more commonly experienced.
So, what can you do about this problem? First of all, you should make sure that your employer provides you with protective equipment when you are asked to come into contact with hazardous materials. This kind of material can be very damaging to you. Good personal hygiene and spotting problems early can also limit the damage.
Back and Muscular Problems
Back damage is an issue that is still all too common. Anyone who has to lift things or do manual work has to be careful of this kind of issue. The back is a vulnerable part of your body. If you bend it or twist it in the wrong way, the results can be disastrous for you. You can learn more about preventing back injuries when lifting at spine-health.com/conditions.
Muscular injuries are also common among people who do manual jobs. If you work the same muscle vigorously each day, they will be put under strain. To make sure that this problem doesn’t arise for you, you should always be sure to do stretches and get your muscles prepared at the start of each day.
Repetitive Strain Injury
Repetitive strain injuries can show themselves in all kinds of ways. Perhaps you have a tingle in your elbow or a throbbing pain in your index finger. These can all be signs that the actions that you do repetitively could be causing you harm. As the name suggests, these issues come about as the things you do everyday. It could be typing or lifting boxes; they can all result in RSIs.
So, what should you do if you think that you are suffering this problem? First, see a doctor and get the immediate problem treated properly. Then make sure that you are sitting properly and your desks and talk to your employer about the problem. They might be able to provide you with better equipment or more regular breaks to prevent the problem returning.
Stress and Anxiety
Stress is one of those common issues that many of us experience while doing work. It’s hardly uncommon. But when it reaches a certain point, stress can’t simply be ignored. It’s a problem that requires action. That’s because sustained periods of stress can lead to heart problems and other mental disorders. Therefore, being able to deal with stress is key.
If your workload is too high, talk to your employer. They might be happy to decrease it if they know that it is causing you stress. The same applies to anxiety, which can also come about as a result of too much stress. These issues can and should definitely be combatted for the sake of your short- and long-term health.
Depression
Depression is another mental health issue that can be associated with problems at work. Of course, there can be a combination of factors at work that results in someone getting clinical depression. Many of those factors can derive from work, though. Seeking medical attention and dealing with depression head on is always important, no matter what’s causing it.
If your depression came about as a result of an issue such as workplace bullying, you should notify your employer. If the action they take to address this problem is not adequate, you should take things further and speak to a lawyer. It’s against the law for employers to ignore their obligation to protect employees, so don’t assume that you’re powerless or unable to do anything.
Mesothelioma
This is a very serious health condition that is associated with exposure to asbestos. Although asbestos has been mostly eradicated now and the health implications of it are fully known, this wasn’t always the case. Many people handled this in their younger days and now find that they develop problems related to their lungs such as mesothelioma.
If you find yourself in this situation, you should get medical attention and take legal action. There is a strong precedent for getting compensation as a result of developing this disease. It’s a failure on behalf of the companies that employed people that workers were not properly protected. You can go to RobinsCloud.com/mesotheliioma-lawsuits/choosing-a-mesothelioma-lawyer/ if you want more legal help with this.
Skin Diseases
Apart from dermatitis mentioned above, there are other skin diseases that are commonly experienced by people who do various jobs. For example, people who spend a lot of time working outside in the sun are much more likely to develop problems like skin cancer. This is a serious condition. It can be avoided by wearing sun protection throughout the year.
The sun can cause many other skin problems as well. It’s important that you take this risk seriously because many people who work outside don’t. UV rays from the sun can affect you even on a cloudy day. So, even in the winter you need to make sure that your skin is as fully protected as it can be. If you cut corners with this, you could suffer problems.
Occupational Asthma
Asthma can obviously be caused by many things. Some people are born with it, but others get it as a result of the work they do. Occupational asthma can even apply to people who already have mild asthma that is made worse by their jobs. There are two main types: sensitizer-induced occupational asthma and irritant-induced occupational asthma.
The employer has an important role to play here. They are obliged to manage these risks. So, if there is any chance of employees inhaling anything that could lead to asthma, precautions must be taken. Things like masks can often be provided to block anything that might be inhaled by employees while they are working. But it all depends on the circumstances and the work being done.
Going to work and earning a living is not something we enjoy every day of the week. Even if you’re lucky enough to do a job that you enjoy, you shouldn’t have to suffer for it. So, if you’re concerted about any of the work-related health issues listed above, be sure to take action.
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