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Date Submitted: 07/10/2014 06:25 AM
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
By
Dr. Chinyere Nkele FRCS,FWACS, FISPN
Abstract
Work is recognized as being beneficial for the psychosocial wellbeing of man.During the industrial revolution of the 18th century death andillness arising from work assumed unacceptable proportions. Though some work had been done on the effect of work on health earlier it was in Britain that the first law to regulate health and safety at work was promulgated in 1832.Since then many countries of the world have followed the trend resulting in a dramatic reduction in death and illness associated with work. As a result of this reduction much suffering by workers and their families has been reduced and great financial losses to enterprises and nations averted.However, there remain challenges to provision of occupational health and safety services all around the world.
Introduction
Man has always worked for his daily bread. Work has also been recognized as necessary to avoid boredom and to promote psychosocial wellbeing. It has, however, not always been recognized that work could affect health.Hippocrates, the greatest physician of antiquity, in the 4th century B.C reportedly recognized the danger of lead in mining as part of the dangerous contributions of the environment to disease. His most well-known work on environmental health is the collection titled Airs, Waters and Places.Gaius PliniusSecundus, a Roman writer also recognized the dangers of zinc and sulphur in mining and reportedly designed a mask for the protection of such workers not only in mines but in other places involving fumes. PhilipusAureolus Paracelsus, a German physician and chemist was reported to have warned about toxicity due to mercury and sulphur. GeorgiusAgicola, a German physician and scientist described some health problems in the mines including silicosis and accidents. In 1556 he wrote a book on occupational diseases titled De Re Metalica. BernadinoRamazzini was the first to study...