INTRODUCTION TO OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Timeline

The field of industrial hygiene was advanced by a German Scholar, Agricola, in 1556. Agricola described the diseases of miners and prescribed preventive measures. His book entitled "De Re Metallica" included:

Suggestions for mine ventilation and personal protection for workers

Discussions of mining accidents

Descriptions of diseases associated with mining occupations (e.g., silicosis).

In the sixteenth century, industrial hygiene was characterized by mysticism. It was believed that demons inhabited the mines and could be controlled by fasting and prayer.