CHANGSHA, May 1 (Xinhua) -- From April 25 to May 1, 2022, the 20th Occupational Disease Prevention and Control Law Publicity Week was held with the theme of "Everything for the Health of Workers." What are the types and hazards of occupational diseases? If I suspect an occupational disease, how should I diagnose and identify it? The reporter interviewed Xiao Xiongbin, chief expert of the Hunan Provincial Occupational Disease Prevention and Control Institute.
Xiao Xiongbin said that in order to constitute an occupational disease stipulated in the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Occupational Diseases, three conditions must be met: First, the main body must be the laborers of enterprises, public institutions or individual economic organizations; second, it must be caused by exposure to occupational disease hazard factors such as dust, radioactive substances and other toxic and harmful substances in occupational activities; and third, it must be occupational diseases listed in the "Classification and Catalogue of Occupational Diseases".
How to prevent occupational diseases? Xiao Xiongbin suggested that the "three-level" precautionary principle should be followed. Primary prevention is the fundamentals of minimizing occupational harmful factors for workers or for controlling the level of harmful factors in the workplace within the limits allowed by sanitary standards. Secondary prevention is the implementation of health monitoring of workers, early detection of occupational damage, timely treatment, effective treatment, and prevention of further development of the disease. Tertiary prevention is the active treatment of patients who have already suffered from occupational diseases and promotes health.
Xiao Xiongbin reminded that if an employee suspects that he has an occupational disease, or if it is suspected of an occupational disease after an occupational health examination, he or she can go to the occupational disease diagnosis institution where the employer is located, where he or she is registered or habitually resides. The list, address, diagnosis items and other relevant information of occupational disease diagnosis institutions shall be published by the local health administrative department and may be consulted with the relevant departments. In order to fully protect the legitimate rights and interests of workers in the diagnosis and appraisal of occupational diseases, the mainland implements a system of "one diagnosis and two-level appraisal".
The importance of occupational diseases lies in prevention, and it is necessary to fully understand the harm of occupational diseases and ensure the health of the majority of workers. In order to let everyone better understand the knowledge of occupational disease prevention and treatment, Xinhua News Agency reporters and experts have produced a group of small cartoons.
Reporter: Shuai Cai, Liu Liangheng
Reporters: Wen Na, Zhang Yulu
Acknowledgements: Hunan Provincial Occupational Disease Prevention and Control Institute