Workplace accidents have gone down by 25% over the last decade, which is certainly good news for professionals. However, health disorders related to the workplace still account for 2.4 million deaths all over the world.
It is important to know which health disorders you are at higher risk for if you’re an IT professional. When you have a better overview of the disease you could encounter due to your profession, you can better perform your professional duties and keep your health intact. Here are three work-related health disorders that plague the IT crowd.
Work-Related Cancer
One of the most significant health issues in workplaces around the world is work-related cancer. Cancer was the cause of 53% of work-related deaths in the EU and other developed nations. The 2016 Roadmap on Carcinogens states that 120,000 work-related cancer cases happen annually due to exposure to cancer-causing agents at work, and this leads to around 80,000 deaths each year.
Stress, radiation, and other important factors pertaining to work conditions are also among the causes of work-related cancer. Emerging research also indicates that being exposed to endocrine disruptors on the job (i.e nanomaterials, pesticides) can also lead to cancer.
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are also very common in the workplace. When an employee is suffering from an MSD and is unable to work, this can cost a company thousands or even billions of dollars. It’s important to make the work environment safe to improve the health of workers and keep businesses thriving.
MSDs can affect the shoulders, arms, back, and neck, as well as the legs and feet. These disorders describe the disorder or damage of the tissues and joints, and you may experience anything from minor aches to chronic pain and limited mobility, which may require you to take time off work. Some people with severe MSDs may have the leave the workforce completely and apply for disability assistance.
Mental Health
The work environment can bring on or worsen mental illness because of unsafe or poor conditions or the treatment of employees within the organization. While work can provide people with a sense of purpose and financial security, stress at work can have a negative effect on an employee’s wellbeing.
Mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and alcohol and drug abuse affect employees significantly and cost employees tens of thousands of dollars. People often miss work when they are abusing substances or suffering from severe anxiety or depression. People will also use alcohol and drugs to cope with their mental illness, which can lead to poor performance at work. This is detrimental to the IT industry, since software, computers, and technological accessories require accuracy and precision to work properly.
How to Better Understand Mental Health
The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion and the World Health Organization (WHO) states that health is “a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing” and not simply the absence of sickness. This definition offers a holistic interpretation of what it means to be truly healthy and indicates that people must be healthy, mentally, physically, and socially. The WHO also suggests that mental health should be normalized in the workplace and should be seen as part of an employee’s wellbeing.
When a person is mentally healthy, they are able to recognize their strengths and weaknesses and look for suitable methods to handle stress. Maintaining social relationships is also essential for mental health. IT professionals often have to work in isolation and don’t interact with others very often during the workday. When IT executives encourage employees to work together, that could improve their mental health.
Seek Legal Advice
If you suspect you are suffering from a work-related health disorder, get in touch with a workers’ compensation attorney. Your lawyer will review the details of your case and help you get the settlement offer you deserve for illness and injury you may have sustained on the job.