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National and International Response to Occupational Hazards in the Healthcare Sector
Author(s) -
FRONEBERG BRIGITTE
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1196/annals.1371.022
Subject(s) - health care , occupational safety and health , absenteeism , legislation , occupational health nursing , work (physics) , business , nursing , variety (cybernetics) , public relations , medicine , health policy , political science , psychology , law , mechanical engineering , artificial intelligence , computer science , engineering , social psychology
The health care sector is one of the largest, most rapidly expanding areas of employment and is increasingly in need of qualified staff especially in the area of nursing. The health care sector is complex and comprises a variety of largely different professions; occupational hazards and exposures differ accordingly. Rates of absenteeism, reported work‐related ill‐health, and early retirement or departure from professions are comparatively high, especially among the nursing staff. While classical health hazards are addressed by international and national regulations, underlying causes of ill‐health and departure from the profession, such as psychological stress, violence, pressing time schedules, and poor work organization are less well heeded. Practical guidance and quality information have become increasingly available from national and international Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) institutions and can be easily accessed through the Internet. They will undoubtedly benefit the profession, but difficulties not related to OSH will warrant political solutions. This presentation provides access to relevant international and European Union (EU) legislation and to valuable information resources for health care workers available from the Internet.