Abstract
The health of workers affects everyone in a nation of workers. Even so, many workers are suffering from illnesses directly related to their jobs. In 1970 alone a total of 33,085 cases of occupational diseases were reported in California. Occupational accidents and illnesses may result from a sudden and unexpected occurrence or they may result from slow and subtle exposures over periods of years resulting in shortened live spans or reduced quality of life for the workers involved. Current efforts being taken to safeguard the health of workers include studies designed to understand the effects of dusts, chemicals and other environmental hazards on the body and develop preventive and control measures which can be effectively applied in industry. Occupational health units have been developed in 48 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico as well as in 37 local jurisdictions. Estimates indicate that industry spends over 320 million dollars annually for health services and professional surveillance of facilities to ensure a safe work environment for employees. Even so, no more than 20 percent of the national work force is employed in companies where such health services exist. In order to protect yourself and your workers on the job it is necessary that you understand what you are working with, what precautions are required, how to maintain a healthy workplace, watch for unexpected hazards, and understand what health services are available to meet you needs.
