Classification of
occupational disease
Roll no :- UG 21042
Occupational diseases are usually defined as
diseases arising out of or in the course of
employment.
For convenience, they may be grouped as under:
I. Diseases due to physical agents
(1) Heat : Heat hyperpyrexia, heat exhaustion,
heat syncope, heat cramps, burns and
local effects such as prickly heat.
(2) Cold : Trench foot, frost bite, chilblains
(4) Pressure : Caisson disease, air
embolism, blast (explosion)
(5) Noise : Occupational deafness
(6) Radiation : Cancer, leukaemia, aplastic
anaemia, pancytopenia
(7) Mechanical: Injuries, accidents factors
(8) Electricity: Burns.
II. Diseases due to chemical agents
(1) Gases: CO2 , CO, HCN, CS2 ,NH3 ,
N2, H2S ,HCI, SO2 these cause gas poisoning .
(2) Dusts (Pneumoconiosis)
(i) Inorganic dusts :
(a) Coal dust :Anthracosis
(b) Silica :Silicosis
(c) Asbestos :Asbestosis, cancer lung
(ii) Organic (vegetable) dusts
(a) Cane fibre :Bagassosis
(b) Cotton dust : Byssinosis
(c) Tobacco :Tobacossis
(d) Hay or grain dust :Farmers’ lung
(3) Metals and their compounds Toxic hazards from lead,
mercury, cadmium, manganese, beryllium, arsenic, chromium
etc.
(4) Chemicals: Acids, alkalies, pesticides
(5) Solvents: Carbon bisulphide, benzene, trichloroethylene,
chloroform, etc.
III. Diseases due to biological agents :
Brucellosis, leptospirosis, anthrax, actinomycosis,
psittacosis, tetanus, encephalitis, fungal infections,
etc.
IV. Occupational cancers : Cancer of skin, lungs, bladder.
V. Occupational dermatosis : Dermatitis
VI. Diseases of psychological origin : Industrial
neurosis, hypertension, peptic ulcer, etc.
