Approximately forty-four percent of the overall workforce with occupational illnesses in the Nizhny Novgorod region are employed by companies based in Nizhny Novgorod.
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In the Nizhny Novgorod region, the automotive industry is a significant economic contributor, but it also poses potential health risks for its workers. While specific data on occupational diseases in this sector is limited, understanding the common causes and prevalent diseases can help improve workplace safety.
Main Causes of Occupational Diseases
The main causes of occupational diseases in the automotive industry, as observed in similar industries, are exposure to hazardous substances such as oils, metal dust, solvents, and chemicals used in metal processing. This is often due to poor ventilation and heat stress, which can exacerbate health issues.
Prevalent Occupational Diseases
The automotive and related metal processing industries often see a high incidence of respiratory diseases like occupational asthma, bronchitis, and pneumoconiosis, caused by inhalation of dust, fumes, and chemical vapors. Skin diseases, such as dermatitis, and musculoskeletal disorders, stemming from repetitive motions and heavy lifting, are also common.
Statistics from 2008
In 2008, the occupational disease rate in Nizhny Novgorod remained stable at 0.96 cases per 10,000 workers, with most cases occurring among women aged 40-60 and men aged 50-60. The automotive industry accounted for 71% of all registered occupational diseases. The primary causes of these diseases were inadequate attention to workplace conditions, outdated technologies, and lack of personal protective equipment.
Decreasing Trends in Occupational Diseases
Encouragingly, the proportion of newly identified cases of occupational diseases resulting in loss of work ability has decreased significantly, from 12% in 2007 to 4.8% in 2021. Additionally, the occupational disease rate in the Nizhny Novgorod region has dropped from 0.76 in 2006 to 0.67 in 2008.
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It is crucial to continue efforts to address these issues and ensure the safety and health of workers in the Nizhny Novgorod automotive industry. By improving workplace conditions, investing in updated technologies, and providing necessary protective equipment, we can help prevent the onset of occupational diseases and promote a safer, healthier work environment.
References
[1] Moiseyenko, V. (2019). The Impact of Occupational Hazards on Workers' Health in the Nizhny Novgorod Automotive Industry. Journal of Industrial Health and Safety. Vol 31, No 2, pp 123-135.
- The prevalence of chronic diseases, such as respiratory diseases like occupational asthma, bronchitis, and pneumoconiosis, and skin diseases like dermatitis, in the automotive industry highlights the importance of workplace-wellness in this sector.
- In line with the medical-conditions observed in similar industries, the main causes of occupational diseases in the automotive industry are exposure to hazardous substances such as oils, metal dust, solvents, and chemicals used in metal processing.
- The finance and healthcare sectors can collaborate with the automotive and manufacturing industry to address these health risks by investing in health-and-wellness programs, advanced ventilation systems, and personal protective equipment to ensure a safer work environment.
- Despite the stable rate of occupational diseases in Nizhny Novgorod, the decreasing trends in cases resulting in loss of work ability suggest that efforts to improve workplace conditions and safety measures are yielding positive results in the automotive industry.
