Mainstreaming Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) through a Systems Approach

Access to basic workplace health and safety to prevent any occupational disease or injury is intrinsic to human and labor rights as recognized by International labor standards, international human rights, and national labor law instruments. The increasing economic, human, and social burden of workplace accidents, diseases and fatalities has emphasized the need to fully integrate Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) into business operating systems to stave off the costs involved. However, challenges remain in seamlessly integrating OHS principles into real practice at the organizational, workplace, and community level. OHS conditions vary between organizations, economic sectors and social groups. The absence of a comprehensive and integrated systems approach to OHS likely contributes to these differences and health disparities. Building partnerships and promoting a systems approach in integrating OHS into public health protection activities is key to improving OHS outcomes at the workplace and community level. Recent initiatives have developed innovative organizational strategies that emphasize the importance of OHS management systems as the tool for broader public health initiatives aimed at both preventing workplace exposures and promoting healthy behaviors. This presentation will examine the barriers, successes, and opportunities for better implementing a systems approach to ensure workplace health and safety protections and propose entry points for mainstreaming OHS into public health.