Doctors named the illnesses of employees of construction and industrial enterprises

Construction workers and employees of manufacturing enterprises often face occupational diseases and injuries — the specifics of their work imply many risks. On August 7, an expert from the online hypermarket All Tools told Izvestia about how to warn their loved ones working in these fields.<url>" Maxim Sokolov and general practitioner, cardiologist at the Sberbank Health medical company Anastasia Poskakalova.

"Working in construction and industrial enterprises is associated with many harmful factors: constant contact with chemicals, polluted air, high physical activity, unfavorable microclimate conditions, noise and vibration. As a rule, employees are exposed to several factors at the same time, which increases the risk of developing a number of diseases," the doctor said.

According to Poskakalova, among the most common diseases among workers in these industries are diseases of the respiratory system, hearing, musculoskeletal system, skin and mucous membranes of the eyes. Constant inhalation of harmful particles can lead to chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, and regular contact with quartz dust and cement can lead to pneumoconiosis. In addition, particles of harmful substances can cause allergic conjunctivitis and other eye diseases.

In addition, physical activity and static posture often cause diseases of the musculoskeletal system, such as occupational dorsopathy, as well as problems with the hip and knee joints. Regular contact with oils, paints, and solvents increases the risk of skin diseases such as allergic dermatitis, eczema, and others.

"High noise levels in the workplace negatively affect hearing, contributing to the development of sensorineural hearing loss, a sound perception disorder associated with damage to the nerve cells of the inner ear. Exposure to vibrations can lead to vibration sickness: workers experience dizziness, sleep disorders, headaches, decreased walking stability, and fatigue," the therapist emphasized.

Common injuries include closed craniocerebral injuries, fractures of long bones, hands and feet, bruises and hematomas of the trunk and limbs. Rib fractures and compression fractures of the vertebrae often occur when falling from a height.

"Regular medical examinations, as well as technical and technological measures to reduce harm are extremely important for prevention purposes. Employees must comply with work and rest conditions, undergo occupational safety training and use personal protective equipment," the therapist added.

Poskakalova also added that the symptoms develop gradually: cough, shortness of breath, joint and muscle pain, discomfort in the arms and forearms, dry and flaky skin, decreased vision or hearing, unsteady gait, dizziness. If such signs appear, it is recommended not to delay contacting a doctor, either in person or through a telemedicine consultation. However, it is important to take care of possible problems before they appear: there is a wide range of solutions on the market that can significantly reduce the risks to workers' health.

"Tools with anti-vibration technologies (punchers, jackhammers) minimize the harmful effects on hands and reduce the risk of developing white finger syndrome (vibration disease). Dust extraction devices are increasingly being used to protect the respiratory system — they filter dust and prevent it from entering the lungs," Sokolov said.

He adds that ergonomics and originality of the tools are another key point: rubberized handles and proper balancing reduce stress on joints and muscles. Wireless equipment increases mobility and eliminates the risk of tripping over cables, one of the most common causes of workplace injuries.

On August 5, Maria Tolstova, a therapist at the SM Clinic, spoke about the dangers of sitting cross-legged. According to her, this worsens venous blood flow in the legs, which can be the main cause of varicose veins, leg edema, and venous thrombosis. At the same time, the pelvic organs will also suffer, since this position can reduce or completely disrupt the reproductive function in the body, regardless of gender.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.