Monday, October 28, 2019

Occupational Safety and Health Organization


The World Health Organization has an occupational health program that promotes the improvement of working conditions and other aspects of environmental hygiene. The WHO recognizes that occupational health is closely linked to public health which is why they address all determinants of worker's health such as the risk for disease and injury in the occupational environment, social and individual factors, and access to health services. Some occupational health topics covered by the WHO include asbestos-related diseases, chemical risk factors and hazards, dust, HIV/AIDS in the workplace, noise, and stress at the workplace.

One of their programs specifically looks at eliminating asbestos-related diseases by providing information about replacing asbestos with safer alternatives and by developing economic and technological mechanisms to stimulate its replacement. This program also works towards improving early diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation services for asbestos-related diseases. It also provides information on the hazards associated with asbestos-containing materials and by raising awareness that waste containing asbestos should be treated as hazardous waste.

1 comment:

  1. I'm so glad this is a thing! I would say many workers are unaware of the hazards that come with their jobs (such as farmworkers/pesticides/birthdefects) and they should be warned, and know the risks and how to minimize it! Yay for the WHO, now if only this was more widespread :/

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