Difference Between Occupational Disease and Work-Related Disease

Introduction

Occupational diseases and work-related diseases are two notions with slightly distinct meanings that are frequently used in conjunction with workplace disorders.

The most extensive of these categories is work-related diseases, which are widely used to describe diseases that are entirely or partially caused by working conditions or which are worsened by them.

The concept of occupational disease is more narrowly defined. In many countries, this is essentially a legal term that relates to the possibility of financial compensation for an illness victim. Occupational diseases have traditionally been characterised as diseases produced primarily by physical, chemical, or biological conditions at work, and they frequently include disorders defined by a single specific causal agent, such as crystalline silica in the case of silicosis.

The third edition of the ILO's Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety distinguished pathological conditions that could affect workers, with diseases caused by occupation (occupational diseases) and diseases worsened by work or having an increased risk due to working conditions (work-related diseases) separated from conditions unrelated to work. However, in certain countries, work-related disorders are treated similarly to work-caused diseases, which are genuine occupational diseases.

Definition of Occupational Disease

Occupational disease refers to any disease related to a certain job or sector. Such disorders are caused by a number of biological, chemical, physical, and psychological elements found in the workplace or experienced throughout the course of employment. Occupational medicine is concerned with the effects of all types of labour on health and the impact of health on a worker's aptitude and efficiency.

Occupational diseases are largely preventable and can be linked to poor working conditions. Controlling occupational health hazards minimises the occurrence of work-related diseases and accidents while also enhancing employee health and morale, resulting in lower absenteeism and increased worker productivity. In most circumstances, the moral and economic benefits vastly surpass the costs of reducing occupational dangers.

General Criteria for Identification of Occupational Diseases

The exposure-effect relationship between a given working environment or activity and the resulting disease consequences defines occupational diseases.

The exposure-effect relationship must be clearly established.

• Clinical and pathological data,
• Occupational background and job analysis, and
• Epidemiological data are needed to determine the exposure-effect link between a certain occupational illness and its associated activities in specific jobs.

In general, the symptoms of these disorders are not clear enough to diagnose occupational diseases without detailed knowledge of the changes caused by the physical, chemical, biological, or other factors encountered at work. As we learn more about how these factors affect us, and as more substances and agents are used in different jobs, it becomes easier to diagnose these diseases accurately and to identify a wider range of them. With more research and improved epidemiological studies, we better understand the relationships between exposure and effects, making it easier to define and recognise various occupational diseases.

Designating an illness as occupational in origin is an example of clinical decision-making or applied clinical epidemiology. Determining the cause of an illness is not a precise science but rather a question of judgment based on a careful evaluation of all available information, which should include a consideration of the following:

• Strength of Association: An occupational disease is identified by a clear and significant increase in the occurrence of the disease linked to exposure to the risk.
• Consistency:There are numerous research studies that produce largely similar results and conclusions related to the illness.
• Epidemiological Data: Use of statistical data and studies that show patterns and associations between specific exposures and diseases.
• Duration and Intensity of Exposure: Consideration of how long and how intensely the individual was exposed to potential hazards.
• Biological Plausibility: Testing for biological markers that indicate exposure to specific hazards, such as blood or urine tests for chemicals or heavy metals.
• Coherence: A thorough review of all available evidence (human epidemiology, animal research, etc.) supports the conclusion that there is a causal effect, both broadly and in terms of common sense.

The degree of risk is another basic factor used to determine if a disease is occupational in origin. Quantitative and qualitative parameters are significant in determining the risk of getting an occupational disease. Such a risk can be expressed in terms of its magnitude-for example, the quantities used, the number of workers exposed, and the prevalence rates for the disease in different countries-or in terms of its seriousness, which can be assessed based on its effects on workers' health (e.g., the likelihood of causing cancer or mutations, having highly toxic effects, or eventually leading to disablement).

Thus, the criteria for determining a new occupational disease to be added to an international list are the strength of the exposure-effect relationship, the occurrence of the disease with a specific activity or specific work environment (which includes the occurrence of the event and specific nature of this relationship), the scale of the risk determined by the number of workers exposed or the seriousness of the risk, as well as the presence of a recognised disease.

Definition of Work-Related Diseases

The term "work-related diseases" refers to a wide range of multifactorial diseases and disorders in which employment and the working environment play a crucial role but are just one of many causal factors. These diseases are more common in the working population than "specific" occupational disorders.

They also exist in the general population, however job and working conditions are not always a risk factor for each disease. Personal characteristics of workers, as well as other environmental and sociocultural factors, are common risk factors for various diseases. Work-related diseases are critical to occupational and public health because of their significant socio-medical and economic effect, as well as the potential for prevention or reduction.

General Criteria for Identification of Work-related Diseases

Identifying work-related diseases includes assessing a variety of variables to establish whether a disease is caused by workplace conditions or activities. Here are some important factors for detecting work-related disorders in general:

• Temporal Relationship: There should be a clear link between the start of the disease and exposure to potential job hazards. The condition should develop following or during exposure to work-related variables.
• Consistency with Known Risks: The condition should be consistent with any known hazards or risks in the workplace. Chemical, physical, and biological agents, as well as ergonomic and psychological stressors, might all be included.
• Exposure Assessment: The level and duration of exposure to potential workplace risks should be evaluated. This could include evaluating workplace records, doing exposure monitoring, or questioning impacted employees about their job duties and environment.
• Biological Plausibility: There should be biological or mechanical evidence relating the exposure to the disease. It could be necessary to understand the biological processes via which the workplace hazard contributes to the development of sickness.
• Alternative Explanations: Non-occupational exposures, lifestyle factors, and pre-existing medical disorders should all be explored and ruled out as possible causes of the disease.
• Epidemiological Evidence: Epidemiological research, including group studies, case-control studies, or surveillance data, can provide evidence of a relationship between workplace exposures and disease outcomes in worker populations.
• Clinical Diagnosis: Healthcare professionals must conduct clinical assessments and diagnoses to confirm the presence of the disease and determine its relationship to workplace variables.

By considering these criteria in combination, healthcare professionals, occupational health specialists, and regulatory authorities can identify and confirm work-related diseases, leading to appropriate prevention and intervention measures in the workplace.

Comparison Chart

Conclusion

The words "occupational diseases" and "work-related diseases" can be used interchangeably. They refer to distinct concepts with significant consequences for public health, workplace safety, and regulatory frameworks. Occupational diseases are caused directly by job exposures and are often recognised under workers' compensation legislation, emphasising employers' rules to create safe working environments. Work-related disorders, on the other hand, can be caused by a larger variety of factors, such as physical, chemical, biological, and psychological hazards, and their diagnosis may need more complicated considerations than direct causality. Understanding the differences between these terminologies is crucial for healthcare practitioners, governments, and employers looking to successfully prevent, diagnose, and treat occupational illnesses, thereby improving worker health and well-being throughout the world.