Women Workers Ignorant Of Occupational Health Diseases

KUANTAN, July 10 (Bernama) -- Women workers in Malaysia are largely ignorant about occupational health diseases, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) director Datuk Dr Johari Basri said Monday.
As such, they are exposed to diseases like as silicosis, asbestosis, bronchogenics, carcenomas and occupational dermatitis which can weaken their immune system, he said.
"Therefore, there is an urgent need to create awareness about such occupational diseases among women workers," he told reporters after opening a seminar on the subject here Monday.
He pointed out that women workers were often exposed to occupational hazards in their workplaces but no concerted efforts had been made for their protection.
Meanwhile, he said some 69,132 industrial accident cases were reported in the country in 2004.
There were 846 fatalities and 9,381 ended up with permanent disabilities, he said.
"Among those who became disabled were 1,546 women," he said, adding that studies had shown nurses tend to develop backache because they are frequently engaged in transferring patients from one hospital bed to another.
Doctors, he added, were also highly exposed to contagious diseases especially when they administered injections.
Johari appealed to employers to send their workers for occupational safety and health courses conducted by NIOSH.