Employmentweb_low

EmploymEnt, Work, And hEAlth InEquAlItIEs - a global perspective
care personnel (dawson et al., 2007). research on the consequences
of load-related working conditions is concentrated on complaints
concerning the upper limbs, neck/shoulders (andersson, fine, &
silverstein, 2000; van der Windt et al., 2000) or lower back
(andersson et al., 2000; Keyserling, 2000). More serious disorders,
such as hernias, spinal degeneration, carpal tunnel syndrome,
tendinitis or inflammations, are also associated with load-related
working conditions (andersson et al., 2000; hoozemans, Van der
Beek, frings-dresen, Van dijk, & Van der Woude, 1998; Muggleton et
al., 1999). furthermore, effects on exhaustion and occupational
stress are also common (akerstedt et al., 2004; laaksonen,
rahkonen, Martikainen, & lahelma, 2006).
The impact of vibrations is defined by their magnitude, frequency,
duration and direction. Vertical vibrations seem to involve the
highest discomfort (Griffin, 1998). There is also a difference between
whole-body vibrations and hand-transmitted vibrations. The first are
common in drivers and operators of construction equipment
(Kittusamy & Buchholz, 2004). hand-transmitted vibrations are most
common in workers using hand-operated tools
and machines. long-term and daily exposure to
vibrations is associated with health problems
ranging from cardiovascular, respiratory, and
physiological changes to musculoskeletal
problems, effects on the central nervous system,
gastro-intestinal complaints, reproductive
problems and various stress reactions (Griffin,
1998; Keyserling, 2000).
noise can be considered as one of the most
common workplace hazards in the world (dunn,
hands of a child miner. Goldmines of komabangou (niger). 2000). it is most prevalent in manufacturing,
source: © ilo/M. crozet (2003)
transportation, construction and the primary
economic sector (dunn, 2000). hearing loss and
tinnitus are the most prominent health consequences (suter, 1992). in
most cases, the hearing loss is only temporary, though chronic
consequences often go unnoticed until the hearing loss has attained
disabling proportions (suter, 1998). at that point, psychosocial
consequences related to communication problems start to emerge
(riediker & Koren, 2004). indirect health effects also include general
irritation, sleeping problems and fatigue, hormonal changes, increased
blood pressure, cardiovascular problems, health and safety impairment
and concentration problems (Passchier-Vermeer & Passchier, 2000).
in order to preserve the body temperature between its ideal
limits, the human organism has developed a set of reactions and
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