Health at work

Participation rate of world working population is almost 2/3 (65%), higher among men (79%) than among women (52%). [1] Social and economic growth of society is based on the people’s work. Individually, work improves economic existence, develop self-respect and individual identity and represent the social determinant of health. Therefore, work is a human need.

However, workplace environment can be hazardous for workersˊ health. Too many workers are exposed to unacceptable levels of chemicals, biological agents, physical, psychological, and ergonomic factors at workplaces that are hazardous for their health. Although traditional occupational exposures still prevail in work environment, new occupational risks are emerging due to introduction of new technologies, unsecure employment, long working hours, work under pressure due to short deadlines, increased norms, occupational stress, mobbing, aging of workforce, child work, etc.

International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates that around the world 6,300 workers die every day due to injuries at work or occupational diseases, which results in 2,300,000 deaths per year! [2] Additionally, 160,000 workers suffer from occupational and work-related diseases, and there are also 313,000 non-fatal work-related accidents per year. Human loss is immeasurable, and economic loss is 4% of the world’s GDP annually. [3] However, many occupational diseases and injuries are preventable.

With the aim to improve working conditions and to reduce occurrence of occupational diseases and injuries, ILO regularly prepares conventions and recommendations. Convention 155/1981 and its Protocol 2002 on occupational safety and health are related to all economic branches and all employees. It also proposes basic national policy on occupational safety and health and emphasizes that employers are responsible and should undertake all workplace preventive and control measures to enable healthy workplaces.

World Health Organization (WHO) adopted Global Plan of Action on Worker’s Health 2008 – 2017 whose objectives are among others to prepare and adopt policy and legislation on worker’s health, protection and promotion of health at workplace and improved performance and access to occupational health services.  The ultimate goal is maintenance of workers’ health and their working ability during the whole working life, prevention of occupational diseases or workplace accidents, disability and premature death.

Occupational health is a discipline devoted to protecting workers’ health, Occupational health services have a multidisciplinary approach to workers’ health, whose tasks are broader than prevention and treatment of occupational diseases and injuries. Tasks also include comprehensive protection and promotion of health and working ability of labor force (employed and unemployed), improvement of work environment and work practice, and development of work organization and culture. [4]

References:

[1] http://www.ilo.org/ilostat/faces/oracle/webcenter/portalapp/pagehierarchy/Page3.jspx?MBI_ID=15