Brunei's Local News - Brudirect.com

Bandar Seri Begawan - Work-related injuries and diseases kill about 1.2 million people around the world every year while 250 million work-related accidents and 160 million work-related diseases occur annually.

From the work-related injuries and diseases, it is estimated that four per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) is lost.

The figures were revealed at the "Occupational Health & Safety at Work" seminar hosted by the Occupational Health Division of the Ministry of Health at the Health Promotion Centre yesterday.

In his presentation, Dr Malta said there is a link between health and productivity. In order to be productive, one has to be healthy.

He added, "We spend eight hours daily for about 30 to 40 years in our lifetime at work. We might be exposed to various hazards, unsafe working

environment and work practices that may lead to accidents and work-related diseases."

He also described that there are seven types of workplace health hazards, namely psychosocial, physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, mechanical and safety.

Dr Balalla also gave examples of some of the work-related hazards in a number of professions.

He said a welder might face heavy metal fumes, pneumonitis and keratoconjuhctivitis while a sawmill worker might face wood dust, neuropathies, liver toxicity and kidney damage.

It is hoped that the seminar would create awareness on health and safe working environment in Brunei to help reduce any work-related hazards and diseases.

The half-day seminar was attended by some 80 participants from the public and private sectors. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin