Occupational Hazards of Professionals

Amritha Viswanath ShenoyNinth Semester,

Five Year Course, LL.B.Govt. Law College, Ernakulam

Occupational hazardi. Risk of accident or ii. DiseasePeculiar to an occupation

Occupation includes business, profession,trade or calling.

General occupational hazards

Stress Addiction Depression Anxiety Neglect of self

Causes Long and continuous working hours Paucity of leisure Never ending pressure Suppression of personal feelings Unrealistic expectations

Effects of Occupational Hazards Decrease in :-i. Efficiencyii. Productivity Lowering of Professional Standards

Lawyers Causes:-Dissatisfaction of clients- adversarial system- Internal split - Cut throat competition Maintaining professional standards:- Internships in college curriculumControl over work scheduleContinuing legal educationComparison with CA profession

Mental health professionals Vicarious traumatisation Heightened risk of suicide Increased cynicism Psychiatric disorder Solutions:- personal psychotherapy,

practice abroad, spirituality

Physical Health Professionals Addiction to prescription drugs- shift work,

intensive care work, strain Infectious diseases- no face masks, gloves,

vaccination Compassion fatigue Vicarious traumaCheck on diverting drugsAnti addiction programsFrequent hand washing- disinfectionCounselling

I T Professionals Continuous use of computers- Shift work Neurological absenteeism Carpal tunnel syndrome- Repetitive strain

injuries Computer vision syndrome Obesity Cyber addiction Backache

Solutions

i. Frequent breaksii. Workstations- application of

ergonomics

Google - setting standards to work environment