Women’s Health and Reproductive Hazards

Assignment Four

Industrial Relations (308)

Occupational Health and Safety

November 15, 2005


Women’s Health and Reproductive Hazards

Workplace hazards are connected to health. Julie Tisdale and Christine Sofge define reproductive hazards for women as substances or agents that affect the reproductive health, ability to become pregnant, or the future health of children. Some of theses hazards found in the workplace are well known. However there are many unknown substances that cause birth defects such as low birth weight and miscarriages. The health effects of reproductive hazards are variable often according to when the woman is exposed. There are laws and regulations that help to protect the health of women. Women need to learn their rights and learn about possible hazards in order to protect themselves.

Women’s health and reproductive hazards are not limited to just pregnancy and birth defects. This topic encompasses all aspects of women’s health as it applies to ability to become pregnant as well as the health of the fetus. Women’s health concerns include things like “hazards encountered using equipment designed for male workers of larger statures” (Tisdale & Sofge, 1998, p 651). In this case the extra strain on the woman is a health hazard. Work hazards are not simply the tangible physical aspects the psychosocial aspects are equally important. Studies have shown the stress is a major factor. Stress can affect hormones in the body and thus the reproductive system. Hormones are very important in the reproductive system. General fatigue itself could also cause difficulties in pregnancy affecting the overall health of woman and fetus.

Often the focus is on fixing the problems in the workplace after an issue arises. Health promotion in the workplace ideally should be considered equally important to understanding and managing health problems as Sara Cox, Tom Cox and Joanna Pryce stated in Work-related reproductive health: a review. With health promotion an upstream kind of approach is utilised thus eliminating risks of injury or disease. By identifying the causes of problems prior to harm and using this knowledge, prevention of injury and or disease is possible. Upstream thinking focusing on health promotion is where health professionals such as nurses would like to focus in order to prevent.

Women’s roles in the workplace have changed over the years. There has been an increase in the number of professional women. The roles in both home and workplace have various possible hazards. “Three quarters of women of reproductive age are in the workforce (Tisdale, et al, 1998, p 652).” Women work and therefore are at risk for reproductive health problems. “Although often overlooked, the workplace can have a profound impact on a worker’s health, ranging from cancer in factory workers to carpal tunnel syndrome in computer users.” (Tisdale et al, 1998, p 651) There are many health hazards in the workplace both known and many unknown.

What we can protect ourselves from right now are the known hazards. The known harmful substances are for the most part seen and therefore we are able to protect against them. We know that certain substances and viruses cause reproductive problems for example lead and rubella also known as German measles. “More than 100 years ago lead was found to cause miscarriages, stillbirths and infertility…” (NIOSH, 1999, p 3). Thus avoiding lead and viruses is important for pregnant women.

There are many unknown causes of infertility, miscarriage and birth defects. “We know that the health of an unborn child can suffer if a woman fails to eat right, smokes, or drinks alcohol during pregnancy” (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1999, p 1). The most harmful are the unknown. “The causes of most reproductive health problems are still not known. Many of these problems –infertility, miscarriage, low birth weight –are fairly common occurrences” (NIOSH, 1999, p 3). Further research is needed to ensure the reproductive safety of women in both in the workplace and in the home. For now being careful and using personal protective equipment is essential.

All health hazards are potentially dangerous to the reproductive system. Exposure to certain hazards may cause infertility or spontaneous abortion. What is known from understanding the female reproductive system? Women are born with a set number of eggs. Thus if her eggs are harmed there is no way to replace them rendering her incapable to reproduce. Once a woman becomes pregnant there are different difficulties that may arise during the pregnancy. During the first three months also known as the first trimester of pregnancy, exposure may cause a birth defect or miscarriage; this is the most likely time to have DNA altered in the unborn child. The first trimester is when the major fetal organs are formed. In the remainder of the pregnancy the organs mature and grow thus exposure in the last six months of pregnancy is more likely to affect the development of the brain and or slow the growth possibly causing premature labour. The overall health of a woman is important to maintain and promote to gain the result of healthy mothers and healthy children.

Laws and policies for equality and health have been developed. “Three basic human rights: the right to health care, non-discrimination, and reproductive self-determination” (Center for Reproductive Rights, 2005) all give the right to be healthy and survive pregnancy and childbirth. Governments are liable for the enforcement and accountability of women’s health as it applies to basic human rights. In Canada the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 1982 outlines reproductive rights in general terms. Women need to know their rights and fight for their rights. If their employer chooses to overlook the possible hazards for the reproductive health of women point out the hazards and use the knowledge of women’s rights to rectify the problem.

Reproductive health is of utmost importance. There are multiple known and unknown health hazards and therefore the use of personal protective equipment and being safe is very important. Women need to know the basics about pregnancy and reproductive health to help protect them. Knowing that the first trimester is when the major organs are formed is important in understanding the importance of being healthy and avoiding viruses and agents that could possibly alter DNA.

The basic human right laws help to protect reproductive health however the abilities to enforce them are limited. Therefore being informed of the rights and options is important as is advocating for your rights to work in a safe environment for yourself and for unborn children. Ultimately the onus is on the individual to discuss situations with their employer to make special arrangement to ensure workplace health and safety. Reproductive health is dependant on many factors. Since many harmful substances and agents are still unknown further research is needed. Preventing reproductive health hazards is important for the overall welfare of women. The more we know about the outcomes of exposure to chemicals, viruses and other agents the better we can protect ourselves.



Bibliography

Center For Reproductive Rights. (January, 2005). Surviving Pregnancy and Childbirth: An International Human Right. Retrieved on November 17, 2005 from http://www.reproductiverights.org/pdf/pub_bp_surviving_0105.pdf

Cox, S., Cox, T., Pryce, J. (2000). Work-related reproductive health: a review. Work & stress, vol 14, no 2, pp 171-180.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). (February, 1999). The effects of workplace hazards on female reproductive health. No. 99-104.

Tisdale, J., Sofge, C. (1998). Women and Work: Highlights of NIOSH Research. Journal of Women’s Health. Vol 7, no 6.

World Health Organization. (1999). Women and occupational health. Retrieved November 10, 2005 from http://www.who.int/occupational_health/publications/womendoh/en/