Occupational medicine - main element of occupational health care system

OBJECTIVE. To study the organization of occupational medicine in Joint Stock Company “Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard” (JSC SNS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS. Guiding documents on the issue of occupational medicine are studied. The structure of occupational medicine in the joint-stock company “Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard” is considered. The results of health monitoring at the enterprise, in which 270 employees (men and women) took part, were presented, the comparison group included 78 residents of St. Petersburg. The study of elemental status was carried out. The examination included general medical questioning and examination of hair samples for the content of macro- and microelements.

RESULTS. Prior to employment, employees engaged in work with harmful production factors revealed by a special assessment of working conditions were obliged to undergo a preliminary medical examination. Subsequently, employees underwent annual periodic medical examinations, and every 5 years - an examination at the occupational pathology center. JSC SNS has organized a medical station where medical workers - a general practitioner and a paramedic - receive patients. Employees receive the necessary medical care virtually without interrupting the production process. Special attention is paid to employees with chronic diseases. Based on the analysis results of the employees’ elemental status, a number of chemical elements were found to have deviations beyond the normal range and, accordingly, increasing the probability of health disorders and the risk of developing element-dependent diseases. First of all, it concerns the deficiency of macronutrients. Deficiency of potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iodine was very common in workers. No deviations from the norm were noted with regard to toxic chemical elements.

DISCUSSION. Based on the obtained data, it was concluded that the working conditions of JSC SNS employees working in harmful labor conditions moderately disturb the metabolism of macro- and microelements. Optimizing the intake of deficient elements and eliminating imbalances can be an effective measure to increase labor productivity and reduce the general morbidity of JSC SNS employees. Based on the results of the examination and doctor’s conclusions, we evaluated the micronutrient content of the organized nutrition of employees at JSC SNS and corrected macro- and micronutrient metabolism disorders using specialized products of functional nutrition. A fruit and cereal specialized detoxification bar was introduced into the therapeutic and preventive diet, which took into account the needs of JSC SNS employees to reduce the risk of occupational and general diseases, as well as to compensate for insufficient intake of vitamins and minerals.

CONCLUSION. Application of industrial medicine achievements at the Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard allows effective disease prevention for employees working with harmful labor factors.

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