Occupational Health

Summary

Occupational health problems occur at work or because of the kind of work you do. These problems can include:

• Cuts, fractures (broken bones), and sprains and strains
• Loss of limbs
• Repetitive motion disorders
• Hearing problems caused by exposure to noise
• Vision problems
• Illness caused by breathing, touching, or swallowing unsafe substances
• Illness caused by exposure to radiation
• Exposure to germs in health care settings

Good job safety and prevention practices can reduce your risk of these problems. Try to stay fit, reduce stress, set up your work area properly, and use the right equipment and gear.

Related Issues

• Adult Health: Discover if You’re at Risk of Job Burnout Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Workplace Violence Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Specifics

• Agricultural Health and Safety Rural Health Information Hub
• Biological Agents Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Cold Stress National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Computer Workstations: Desks Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• Do You Have Work-Related Asthma? A Guide for You and Your Doctor Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• Guide to Controlling Asthma at Work American Lung Association
• Heat Stress National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• How to Protect Yourself from Job-Related Skin Problems American Academy of Family Physicians
• Noise and Occupational Hearing Loss Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Occupational Noise Exposure Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• Occupational Respiratory Disease American Academy of Family Physicians
• Preventing Heat-Related Illness or Death of Outdoor Workers National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Repetitive Motion Disorders National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Signs of Potential Problems in the Workplace American Lung Association
• Skin Exposures and Effects in the Workplace National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Suspension Trauma / Orthostatic Intolerance Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Patient Handouts

• Back pain – returning to work Medical Encyclopedia
• Occupational asthma Medical Encyclopedia
• Occupational hearing loss Medical Encyclopedia
• Pregnancy and work Medical Encyclopedia

Encyclopedia

• Byssinosis Medical Encyclopedia
• Coal worker’s pneumoconiosis Medical Encyclopedia
• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis Medical Encyclopedia
• Industrial bronchitis Medical Encyclopedia
• Rheumatoid pneumoconiosis Medical Encyclopedia
• Silicosis Medical Encyclopedia

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Accidents, Occupational National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Occupational Diseases National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Occupational Exposure National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Occupational Stress National Institutes of Health

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Health Hazard Evaluations National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Protect Yourself: Respirators Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Find an Expert

• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Statistics and Research

• Occupational Injuries, Illnesses and Fatalities Bureau of Labor Statistics
• State Occupational Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities Bureau of Labor Statistics

Journal Articles

• Occupational health

Start Here

• Workplace Safety and Health Topics: Diseases and Injuries National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Workplace Safety and Health Topics: Industries and Occupations National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Workplace Safety and Health Topics: Safety and Prevention National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health