Paducah Health Care Blog

The energy industry is one of the most important sectors in any nation. Similarly, it is a very risky industry. From working on power lines to oil and gas drilling and refining, workers in the industry must take adequate care when dealing with such materials. The safety and health regulations put in place by government aid in ascertaining companies in the energy sector protect their employees in their course of duty.
According to a report by the US Department of Energy in early 2017, 25% of US employees in electric and natural gas utilities will be ready to retire within the next 5 years. Furthermore, the generation, distribution, and consumption of energy can have marked adverse impacts on health, especially on elderly people who have spent their working career in the energy field. As such, here are a few illnesses and home health care tips to use as a soon-to-be retiree of the energy industry.
1. Fossil fuel workers
Fossil fuels include coal, oil and gas mining. Therefore, its effects on health occur across a life cycle; that is from mining to transportation to combustion to waste management. If not careful, a worker in this sector may experience a wide array of illnesses such as lung cancer, coal workers' pneumoconiosis, and silicosis, among many others.
Similarly, workers in this field expose themselves to carcinogenic elements and ergonomic hazards, hence risking their health further. Employees should ensure they wear the required protective clothing before handling fossil fuels.
Unfortunately, health problems related to fossil fuels require healthcare services provided by licensed nurses and registered home health care aides, and trained healthcare professionals. Ensure you schedule regular check-ups at your local hospital/dispensary for complete knowledge of your health.
2. Nuclear energy workers
In 2011, 11% of the the of global electricity production was supplied by nuclear energy. In Europe, three countries draw over 50% of their electricity production from nuclear plants and they include France at 78%, and Belgium and Slovakia at 54% each. All but one State in Europe draw more than 25% from this source.
One of the major occupational health concern for workers in nuclear industry is radiation-induced cancer due to exposure to carcinogenic elements such as radon gas among other radioactive gases. As such, regular examinations by trained healthcare professionals and radiation and physical therapy services should be done as often as possible.
3. Renewable energy workers.
Renewable sources of energy such as solar, hydroelectric, biofuels, and wind, offer several advantages. For instance, they do not irreversibly deplete natural resources, they have a lower climate footprint than fossil fuels, and if managed well, they can pose minimal health risks and can yield numerous social and economic benefits.
However, no energy source is free of health and environmental effects. Some of the health concerns related to renewable sources of energy include injuries during the manufacturing and processing stages, exposure to ultraviolet radiation and chemical exposures.

There is a clear and well-defined system, underpinned by both legislation and international bodies, regulating the health and safety standards every employee should enjoy. From regular hospital checks to a personal caregiver, all these are provided for under The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. Now, it is up to you to determine which one is the best and most effective option.