Occupational health services in Europpe in need of emergency care
A special report in the latest issue of HesaMag, the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) periodical on health and safety at work, looks at the main factors that are undermining occupational health services in Europe.
First among such factors is a shortage of specialists. The average age of occupational doctors is high, and little new blood is entering the profession. In some European countries there are fewer than 10 doctors per 100 000 workers and less than 30% of workers are covered by occupational health services. The consequences of this situation are damaging: overwork that undermines the quality of services; loss of direct contact with actual working conditions; declining interest and a sense of being forsaken.