Ideally, all employers are obligated to adopt a two-pronged approach to ensure occupational health and safety for their employees who would then feel free and fearless to work at the workplace.
Occupational safety covers the risk factor at the workplace and potential safety hazards that could possibly cause injury. While occupational health approach would address health concerns and well-being of the employees.
The most deadly and crippling of all occupational diseases is what is called silicosis. Silicosis is a longterm lung disease caused by inhaling crystalline silica dust usually over many years. The silica substance is found naturally in certain types of stone, rock, sand and clay. Workers handling these materials inhale a fine dust which could cause silicosis.
The scene of silicosis patients in India is worrisome. However, the good news is that a screening for diagnosing silicosis in its early stage has been developed....
