Citation

Lucchini RG, London L. Ann. Glob. Health 2014; 80(4): 251-256.

Affiliation

Center for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.aogh.2014.09.006

PMID

25459325

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Global occupational health and safety (OHS) is strictly linked to the dynamics of economic globalization. As the global market is increasing, the gap between developed and underdeveloped countries, occupational diseases, and injuries affect a vast number of workers worldwide. Global OHS issues also become local in developed countries due to many factors, including untrained migrant workers in the informal sector, construction, and agriculture.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the current status and challenges of global occupational health and safety and the needs for preventive action.

FINDINGS: Absence of OHS infrastructure amplifies the devastating consequences of infectious outbreaks like the Ebola pandemic and tuberculosis. Interventions in global OHS are urgently needed at various levels: CONCLUSIONS: Following the equation of maximized profits prompted by the inhibition of OHS is an old practice that has proven to cause significant costs to societies in the developed world. It is now an urgent priority to stop this process and promote a harmonized global market where the health of workers is guaranteed in the global perspective.

Language: en