Work conditions and occupational morbidity in Latvia

Abstract

The aim of study was to analyse work conditions and occupational morbidity in Latvia during a 15-year period for recommendations to employment policy programmes. The study included the analysis of the database of occupational risk factor measurements in more than 7000 enterprises and companies performed in Results of measurements showed that for one third of measured occupational risk factors values exceeded recommended limits. The traditional work risk factors (chemical, physical, biological etc.) have been partly replaced by new risks (ergonomic and psychosocial factors). The results of the study indicated that the following enterprises form a major risk group of non-compliance with legislation regarding occupational health and safety: small enterprises; enterprises of private and non-governmental sectors; enterprises of different industries (construction, metal processing and wood processing). The number of firstly diagnosed occupational diseases and patients has gradually increased. The total number of firstly diagnosed and registered occupational patients per 100,000 employees was 11. occupational diseases shows musculoskeletal diseases (46.1%) as the leading group of diseases followed by diseases of the nervous system and organs of sense (29.3%), traumatic disorders and intoxications (11.7%).

Assessment of occupational health and safety system in latvia

“…On the other hand, laboratory analysis shows that microclimate and dust (especially abrasive dust and welding fumes) should still be considered as signifi cant occupational problems. Taking into account that psychosocial and ergonomic risk factors, as well as microclimate, usually interfere with each other and often intensify the effects of each other, this group of factors should be treated with great care [1,6,7].…”

“…A rapidly changing living environment is closely linked to changes in the work environment: work becomes more intense and requires maximum attention and concentration, adaptation to work, mental and physical capacity of an individual, as well as dealing with different managerial issues [1]. Occupational risk factors could be observed in all economic sectors and can affect large number of employees.…”