special subjects
Overview of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Introduction
Occupational and environmental medicine (OEM) is the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of injuries, illnesses, and disabilities that are related to the job and workplace of workers or to the environment of the community. Promoting the overall health and safety of workers in the workplace, at home, and in the community also helps workers be more productive. Doctors who practice OEM may also care for people exposed to environmental contaminants that are not related to work (such as Lead Poisoning in children). OEM doctors promote the physical and mental health and safety of workers by Implementing preventive measures and education (such as health and wellness programs) Screening job applicants to determine their ability to meet core job requirements Determining whether an injury or illness is work-related Diagnosing and treating occupational and environmental injury and illness promptly, preferably in the workplace Making sure that workers who have been injured or ill are returning to work safely and usefully Determining the extent of a worker's disability and ability to work after a long-term injury or illness Evaluating the safety of the workplace in terms of exposures to hazards and ergonomics Designing and arranging a work space to help people interact with things as efficiently and safely as possible Recommending measures to protect workers' health (such as guidelines for when personal protective equipment is required) Thus, OEM benefits both workers and employers. The most common illnesses and injuries treated by OEM doctors in the workplace are Overview of Sprains and Other Soft-Tissue Injuries None Lacerations (tears) Work-Related Repetitive Motion Injuries that may lead to conditions such as Contact Dermatitis , particularly Asthma None Work-related stress and mental illness Common causes of hearing loss (which may be permanent) Sometimes an injury (such as a repetitive motion injury) is caused by a combination of activities at work and outside of work. Sometimes illnesses resulting from substances in the environment cause symptoms common in many diseases. For example, exposure to carbon monoxide may cause symptoms that resemble those of a viral infection, such as headache, nausea, and vomiting. The purpose of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a federal agency, is to make sure workers have safe and healthful working conditions. To do so, OSHA has set up standards and provides training, education, and help. Employers are required to comply with all applicable OSHA standards, including removing all serious recognized hazards from the workplace. All employers are also required to report work-related deaths, hospitalizations, amputations, and loss of an eye to OSHA. 