Is your job making you ill?
We spend a third of our waking hours at work so it’s no surprise it has a big impact on our health. LAURA MILNE looks at how your occupation can affect wellbeing
eVERY profession has its health risks. Some have unsafe working conditions while others come with high levels of pressure which take a toll on mental health. Here we look at some common jobs and how they affect health and wellbeing. More than 10 million of us work in offices, sitting behind a desk for hours. But sitting hunched over a keyboard for long periods is bad news for the body, according to research published in the Annals Of Internal Medicine.
It doesn’t just cause stiffness and muscle aches, sitting still can raise the risk of obesity which can lead to diabetes, cancer and heart disease even for regular gym-goers.
Many employers are now investing in standing or treadmill desks to alleviate the effects of a sedentary job. Those who endure a long commute are also more likely to suffer from poor sleep which can lead to depression.
Office workers should be aware of the risks of grabbing a sandwich to eat at their desks instead of taking a proper lunch break. Desks can be a breeding ground for bacteria if not kept clean. Despite efforts to make it safer, construction is still one of the most dangerous industries, with 382 deaths in the past 10 years and 64,000 non-fatal injuries each year, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Falls from ladders, scaffolding and roofs are among the most frequent causes of fatal accidents, while slips and trips are common. Frostbite and hypothermia are hazards of working outside during winter if workers are not properly protected from the elements.
Cases of melanoma skin cancer have increased 119 per cent since the early 1990s and almost half of outdoor workers who die from melanoma are bricklayers and other construction workers.
Other dangers include accidents involving heavy machinery, exposure to chemicals and substances such as asbestos which can lead to mesothelioma. Farming, fishing or forestry workers have high levels of physical fitness compared to workers with more sedentary jobs.
But the financial pressures on farmers can be immense which takes a toll on mental health which means suicide rates are high. They also work long hours with heavy machinery and unpredictable animals.
Last year 27 people were killed in agriculture and since 2012 more than 140 have died. Agriculture, forestry and fishing are the most dangerous professions for non-fatal injuries too. Analysis of HSE data has shown half of all those killed are over 65. Sitting behind the wheel of a lorry or van for long periods can lead to obesity, high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes. Breathing in air laced with diesel fumes causes chronic lung problems.
The HSE recently issued warnings that diesel fumes have been reclassified as a “grade 1 carcinogen”, meaning there is a definite link with lung cancer. The warning also applies to bus and railway station staff, rubbish collectors, garage mechanics, warehouse and construction workers. Imperial College London researchers say 500,000 UK workers are exposed to diesel.
Lorry drivers are especially at risk because air intakes suck in fumes from the vehicle in front. It has always been a demanding profession but teaching might soon be a job that comes with a health warning.
A recent survey of more than 4,000 teachers revealed 97 per cent said their job impacted negatively on their wellbeing, causing them stress and anxiety. The majority said it affected their ability to maintain a healthy diet or exercise regularly. Long hours, stress and shift work make healthy lifestyles hard to achieve and a quarter of nurses are now obese, a higher rate than for the rest of the population, according to research by London South Bank University. Nearly a third of unregistered health workers have a BMI of 30 or more.
The Royal College of Nursing says nurses don’t get long enough breaks to have healthy meals.
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