Occupational disease
Chronic ailment caused by work or occupational activity.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
An occupational disease, also called an industrial disease, is a long-term health condition caused by someone’s job or work activities. It falls under the field of occupational safety and health. A disease is usually classified as occupational when it occurs more often in a specific group of workers than in the general public or in other worker groups. The first recognized occupational disease was squamous-cell carcinoma of the scrotum, found in young chimney sweeps by Sir Percival Pott in 1775. Injuries from sudden accidents at work, like a roofer falling, are not considered occupational diseases.
In many workers’ compensation laws, certain diseases are presumed to come from the work environment, and the employer or insurer must prove otherwise. Diseases that national compensation authorities cover are often called occupational diseases. But some countries, such as Norway, do not compensate for certain work-caused conditions like musculoskeletal disorders. For this reason, the term “work-related diseases” is used for any illness with an occupational origin, whether compensable or not.
A major 2021 study by the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization estimated that in 2016, 745,000 deaths from ischemic heart disease and stroke were linked to long working hours. This was the first time the global impact of work-related cardiovascular diseases had been measured.
Occupational diseases are likely underreported. The effectiveness of interventions to improve reporting varies depending on the context and specific measures implemented.
**Types**
Some well-known occupational diseases include:
**Lung diseases** Occupational lung diseases include asbestosis in asbestos miners and those working with friable asbestos insulation; black lung (coalworker’s pneumoconiosis) in coal miners; silicosis in miners, quarry workers, and tunnel operators; and byssinosis in parts of the cotton textile industry. Occupational asthma affects workers in many different jobs. Poor indoor air quality can contribute to lung disease and other health problems.
**Skin diseases** Occupational skin diseases are among the top five work-related illnesses in many countries. They are usually caused
- first recognized disease
- squamous-cell carcinoma of the scrotum (1775)
- first identifier
- Sir Percival Pott
- global fatalities from work-related card
- 745,000 deaths from ischemic heart disease and stroke attributed to long working hours
- top occupational disease category
- musculoskeletal disorders (global burden) or skin diseases (common in many countries)
- common occupational lung diseases
- asbestosis, black lung, silicosis, byssinosis
- high-risk occupations for skin disease
- hairdressing, catering, healthcare, printing, metal machining, motor vehicle repair, construction
Lore & Background
Occupational disease has been recognized since at least 1775, when Sir Percival Pott identified squamous-cell carcinoma of the scrotum in chimney sweep boys. Bernardino Ramazzini, in his 1700 book De Morbis Artificum Diatriba, outlined health hazards of chemicals, dust, metals, repetitive motions, odd postures, and other disease-causative agents encountered in more than 50 occupations. Historical examples include phossy jaw among London matchgirls, radiation sickness among nuclear industry workers, and radium jaw among the Radium Girls.
Reader's Guide
Occupational disease remains a significant global health issue. In a 2021 study by the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization, 745,000 fatalities from coronary artery disease and stroke events in 2016 were attributed to exposure to long working hours, marking the first quantification of the global burden of work-related cardiovascular diseases. Under workers' compensation law in many jurisdictions, specific diseases are presumed to be caused by the work environment, shifting the burden to the employer or insurer to prove another cause. However, many countries do not compensate certain work-related diseases, such as musculoskeletal disorders in Norway, leading to the broader term 'work-related diseases' to include both compensable and non-compensable conditions. Reporting of occupational disease is expected to be lower than actual figures; reminders on the legal obligation to report increase physician reporting, while educational materials or meetings do not.
Did You Know?
- The first recognized occupational disease was squamous-cell carcinoma of the scrotum in chimney sweep boys, identified in 1775.
- Occupational hazards of a traumatic nature, such as falls by roofers, are not considered occupational diseases.
- In a 2021 WHO and ILO study, 745,000 fatalities from coronary artery disease and stroke in 2016 were attributed to long working hours.
- Reminders on the legal obligation to report occupational disease increase physician reporting, but educational materials or meetings do not.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an occupational disease?
It is a chronic health condition that develops gradually as a result of a person's job or work-related activities. It falls under the broader umbrella of occupational safety and health.
What was the first occupational disease ever identified?
Sir Percival Pott pinpointed squamous-cell carcinoma of the scrotum in young chimney sweeps back in 1775. That discovery stands as the earliest documented case of a work-related illness.
How do experts determine whether a condition qualifies as an occupational disease?
A health issue is typically classified as occupational when it appears at a noticeably higher rate among a particular worker group compared to the general public or other workforce segments. Sudden workplace injuries, such as a roofer falling from a height, do not count as occupational diseases.
What are some well-known occupational lung diseases?
Asbestosis, black lung, silicosis, and byssinosis are among the most recognized work-related lung conditions. They develop from prolonged inhalation of harmful particles encountered on the job.
Which jobs carry the highest risk for occupational skin diseases?
Skin diseases represent the top category of occupational illness. High-risk fields include hairdressing, catering, healthcare, printing, metal machining, motor vehicle repair, and construction.
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