Occupational Health Ethics

Tamin, Jacques

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-47283-2

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…Occupational health professionals are well placed to promote the importance of equity in future strategies and policies in the changing world of work [ 40 ]. Indeed, in relation to vulnerable workers, it has been argued that OH professionals have a key role [ 4 ] and a moral duty [ 6 ] to encourage policies that improve social justice and reduce inequalities. We also hope that by highlighting the plight of workers in insecure work during this pandemic, this paper will encourage future research, maybe around the systemic inequalities that lead to this situation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Vulnerable Workers and COVID-19: Insights from a Survey of Members of the International Commission for Occupational Health

Tamin

Oluranti

Suraya

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted on the health and wellbeing of populations directly through infection, as well as through serious societal and economic consequences such as unemployment and underemployment. The consequences could be even more severe for those more vulnerable to the disease, such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. Indeed, there is evidence that such vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected in terms of both, their health and the socioeconomic impact. The aim of our study was to determine whether occupational health (OH) professionals thought that the COVID-19 pandemic might further disadvantage any particular group(s) of vulnerable workers globally, and if so, which group(s). A cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of OH professionals by means of an online questionnaire which was shared via email within the ICOH (International Commission for Occupational Health) community. Data was collected over a period of two weeks in May 2020 and 165 responses from 52 countries were received. In this paper, the responses relating to questions about vulnerable workers are reported and discussed. Globally, our responders felt that those in less secure jobs (precarious employment (79%) and informal work (69%)), or unemployed (63%), were the most at risk of further disadvantage from this pandemic. The majority felt that their governments could act to mitigate these effects. There were suggestions of short-term alleviation such as financial and social support, as well as calls for fundamental reviews of the underlying inequalities that leave populations so vulnerable to a crisis such as COVID-19.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, such disadvantages can compound one another. It has been argued that this compounding effect increases the likelihood of such individuals becoming vulnerable workers (for example, they may be in more insecure work) [ 6 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vulnerable Workers and COVID-19: Insights from a Survey of Members of the International Commission for Occupational Health

Tamin

Oluranti

Suraya

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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“…Some interviewees in the Stuck group still could have had a chance to navigate their way back to work. However, as their situations were complex, they would have needed appropriate rehabilitation and new work opportunities in which work demands would have been adjusted to their decreased capabilities (see also [ 25 , 45 ]). They would have also benefited from multi-professional advice in many aspects, such as re-education, health care, pain management and applying for services and benefits.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Complexity of Decreased Work Ability: Individuals’ Perceptions of Factors That Affect Returning to Work after Sickness Absence

Näsi

Perkiö

Kokkinen

2021

IJERPH

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Much of what has been written about decreased work ability is based on quantitative studies and has been written from the perspective of professionals, service providers or authorities. In our qualitative study, we sought to understand how affected individuals themselves perceive and experience the multifaceted factors that are related to their decreased work ability. Sixteen individuals in Finland with musculoskeletal diseases (MSD) participated in semi-structured interviews. The participants were potential clients of a multi-professional service pilot model, the TOIKE Work Ability Centre. Narrative and thematic analyses were utilised. The study found that individuals with decreased work ability have differing perspectives towards returning to work and often complex life situations. Five distinctive groups were identified based on self-assessed health, work ability and orientation towards work or pension: (1) the Successful; (2) the Persevering; (3) the Forward-looking; (4) the Stuck; and (5) the Pension-oriented. Health problems, unemployment, age discrimination, financial difficulties and skill deficits were the major challenges of the interviewees. Furthermore, they perceived the service and benefit systems as complicated. The TOIKE service proved useful to some of them. However, many had not utilised it due to a lack of understanding of its purpose. Identifying the distinctive groups and their needs may improve interventions. Ultimately, this may help to achieve Target 8.5 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which advocates the right to employment for all ages and for those with disabilities.

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Prevention of COVID-19 in workers: preparation, precaution, and protection

Agius

2023

Annals of Work Exposures and Health

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In May 2023 the World Health Organization (WHO) Director General announced the “end” of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Although the scale of the pandemic was unprecedented in living memory, it had not been unforeseen. Previous outbreaks of viral respiratory disease have shown important lessons regarding the need to protect healthcare workers (HCW), and research has also been undertaken into the relative effectiveness of control measures and their resource implications. Relevant guidance for worker protection, including HCW protection, which existed at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic was disregarded both at international and national governmental levels. In many countries there were significant systemic flaws in strategy, culture, and resource availability, and hence in overall preparedness. When the pandemic struck, many experts and organizations advocated a precautionary approach with regard to worker protection, consistent with good occupational hygiene science, practice, and standards. In many Asian countries, protective measures were relatively stringent. However, many workers were left unprotected especially as the WHO, the United States, the United Kingdom, and other governments did not pursue adequate COVID-19 protective measures at work. As the pandemic progressed, improvements in protection were patchy. A notable lack of protection arose from the underestimation of the contribution of aerosol exposure to infection risks, particularly among HCWs providing routine care of potentially infectious patients. A disciplined strategy of source control, pathway control (such as ventilation), and receptor control notably Respiratory Protective Equipment is needed, as well as worldwide vaccination, to contend with this pandemic. Control measures appropriate to the risk of infections transmitted through the air will remain necessary in the longer term, as well as adaptations in the workplace to take account of long-term COVID-19 morbidity and new work practices.

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Occupational Health Ethics

Cited by 4 publications

References 0 publications

Vulnerable Workers and COVID-19: Insights from a Survey of Members of the International Commission for Occupational Health

Vulnerable Workers and COVID-19: Insights from a Survey of Members of the International Commission for Occupational Health

The Complexity of Decreased Work Ability: Individuals’ Perceptions of Factors That Affect Returning to Work after Sickness Absence

Prevention of COVID-19 in workers: preparation, precaution, and protection

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