Protecting workers' health

PHOTO: TAREQ SALAHUDDIN

Economically active people spend on an average about one third of their time at the workplace which helps our economy grow. During their work, they are exposed to various health risks such as heat, noise, dust, hazardous chemicals, unsafe machines and psychological stress, that may cause occupational diseases and can aggravate other health problems. Although restoring and maintaining health of these working people is crucial, health services for them is often inadequate and overlooked.
Employment and working conditions have powerful effects on health equity. Good working conditions can provide social protection and status, personal development opportunities and protection from physical and psychosocial hazards. They can also improve social relations and self esteem of employees and lead to positive health effects.
Certain occupational risks, such as injuries, noise, cancer causing agents, airborne particles and ergonomic risks account for a substantial part of the burden of chronic diseases: 37% of all cases of back pain, 16% of hearing loss, 13% of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 11% of asthma, 8% of injuries, 9% of lung cancer, 2% of leukaemia and 8% of depression.
Yet only one third of countries have programmes in place to address these issues. Despite these diseases, in the majority of countries physicians and nurses are not adequately trained to address work-related health problems and many countries do not offer postgraduate education in occupational health.
Work-related health problems result in an economic loss of 4–6% of GDP for most countries. About 70% of workers do not have any insurance to compensate them in case of occupational diseases and injuries.
There are effective interventions to prevent occupational diseases. For example, encapsulation of pollution sources, ventilation, noise control, substitution of dangerous chemicals, improvement of furniture and the organisation of work.
The task of specialised occupational health services is to assess these risks and develop recommendations for prevention of occupational and work-related diseases. Workers at risk need regular medical check-ups to detect any health problem at an early stage, when treatment and modification of the workplace can help avoid permanent damage.
Currently, specialised occupational health services are available only for 15% of workers across the world, primarily in big companies that offer health insurance and employment injury benefits. With the ongoing global job crisis, more and more people seek labour in the informal sector without any insurance cover and no occupational health services. Many such workers often also work in hazardous conditions and suffer work-related diseases, injuries and disabilities. In many communities, when the breadwinner falls sick the entire family suffers as there is no social protection.
Primary care centres can deliver some basic occupational services for workers in the informal sector and in small enterpises in the community. Most often they carry out workplace visits with recommendations for improvement, and conduct preliminary and periodic medical examinations, diagnosis and reporting of occupational and work-related diseases. Primary care centres could also train and work with health volunteers and workplace safety representatives to implement simple measures for the prevention of occupational diseases and provide advice on safer working methods.
The costs of these services varies between US$ 18 and US$ 60 (purchasing power parity) per worker. And the benefits are lot more. Research has demonstrated that workplace health initiatives can help reduce sick leave absenteeism by 27% and health-care costs for companies by 26%.