Development of Occupational Health in Latvia (original) (raw)
Acta medico-historica Rigensia
Occupational health is a multidisciplinary science that concentrates on various aspects of workers safety and health at work. The 12"' session of the joint lntemational Labor Organization (ILO) / World Health Organization (WHO) Committee in |995 has made a statement that the focus in Occupational health is on three objectives: l) maintenance and promotion of workers health and working capacity; 2) improvement of working environment and work to become conducive to safety and health; 3) development of work organization and working culture which support health and safety at work, promotes a positive social climate and individual working ability and enhance productivity of the undertaking. The WHO health policies has always included elements of occupational health. Health and safety at work are important for general well being and the health of working people that should be given due consideration in policies of all levels (i.e. company, national and international). Health and safety problems at work are preventable and should be prevented using all available tools legislation, research, training and education, information, technical and economical measures. Govemments are encouraged to implement national policies and programs for occupational health that include measures intended to achieve full coverage of all workers with occupational health services at work [l6]. The occupational health team may include occupational physicians, occupational health nurses, occupational psychologists, physiotherapists. ergonomists. occupational hygienists. safety engineers. toxicologists. microbiologists. chemists. information technicians and others. In this article we will provide short historical overview of development of occupational health in Latvia with main emphasis on most important discipline of occupational health occupational medicine.
Loading Preview
Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. You can download the paper by clicking the button above.