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URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/occupationalhealth.html
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Summary
Occupational health problems occur at work or because of the kind of work you do. These problems can include
- Cuts, fractures (broken bones), and sprains and strains
- Loss of limbs
- Repetitive motion disorders
- Hearing problems caused by exposure to noise
- Vision problems
- Illness caused by breathing, touching, or swallowing unsafe substances
- Illness caused by exposure to radiation
- Exposure to germs in health care settings
Good job safety and prevention practices can reduce your risk of these problems. Try to stay fit, reduce stress, set up your work area properly, and use the right equipment and gear.
Prevention and Risk Factors
- Health Hazard Evaluations (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
- Protect Yourself: Respirators (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) - PDF
- Selecting PPE for the Workplace (Personal Protective Equipment for the Eyes and Face) (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
Related Issues
- Adult Health: Discover if You're at Risk of Job Burnout (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Stress Management: Job Stress (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Workplace Violence (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) - PDF
Specifics
- Agricultural Health and Safety (Rural Health Information Hub)
- Biological Agents (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
- Coal Mining-Related Respiratory Diseases (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
- Computer Workstations: Desks (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
- Do You Have Work-Related Asthma? A Guide for You and Your Doctor (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) - PDF
- Guide to Controlling Asthma at Work (American Lung Association)
- Heat Stress (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
- Occupational Noise Exposure (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
- Occupational Respiratory Disease (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
- Preventing Heat-Related Illness or Death of Outdoor Workers (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) - PDF
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Repetitive Motion Disorders
(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
- Signs of Potential Problems in the Workplace (American Lung Association)
- Skin Exposures and Effects in the Workplace (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
- Skin Problems: How to Protect Yourself from Job-Related Skin Problems (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
- Suspension Trauma / Orthostatic Intolerance (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) - PDF
- When Working in Cold, Be Prepared and Be Aware (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Statistics and Research
- Occupational Exposure to Carbon Nanotubes and Nanofibers (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Occupational Injuries, Illnesses and Fatalities (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Accidents, Occupational
(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Occupational Diseases
(National Institutes of Health)
-
ClinicalTrials.gov: Occupational Exposure
(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Occupational Stress
(National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Dose-response relationship between working hours and hypertension: A 22-year follow-up study.
- Article: Correlation between real-time heart rate and fatigue in chest compression providers...
- Article: Depression among physicians and other medical employees involved in the COVID-19...
- Occupational Health -- see more articles
Find an Expert
Patient Handouts
- Back pain - returning to work (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Occupational asthma (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Occupational hearing loss (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Pregnancy and work (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.