Sixth National Public Health Conference 2011Strengthening the Public Health System Enhancing Equity & Efficiency

Equity & Efficiency in Private Occupational Health Settings

Dr. Abed bin Onn

Content IntroductionFinancial and human costs of failuresLegal complianceInequality in provision of Occupational Health Services (OHS)

International Labour Organization (ILO)Occupational Safety and Health Convention 2006:Prevention of occupational injuries, diseases and deathsProvision of appropriate measures for the protection of all workers, in particular, workers in high-risk sectors, and vulnerable workers such as those in the informal economy and migrant and young workers. Take measures to protect the safety and health of workers of both genders, including the protection of their reproductive health.

International Labour Organization (ILO)Decent Work:Work is a source of personal dignity, family stability, peace in the community, democracies that deliver for people, and economic growth that expands opportunities for productive jobs and enterprise development.

International Labour Organization (ILO)Decent Work:Reflects priorities on the social, economic and political agenda of countries and the international system. Productive employment and Decent Work are key elements to achieving a fair globalization, reducing poverty and achieving equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development.

International Labour Organization (ILO)Decent Works 4 strategic objectives:Creating jobsGuaranteeing rights at workExtending social protectionPromoting social dialogue

World Health Organization (WHO)Occupational Health Services Convention 1985:Occupational health services for all workers, including those in the public sector and the members of production co-operatives, in all branches of economic activity and all undertakings. such protective measures should also be made for self-employed persons

World Health Organization (WHO)Conduct workplace environmental and personal exposure monitoringMedical surveillanceSanitary facilitiesEducation and training for workers on hazards Training in the proper use and maintenance of personal protective equipmentJob Safety Analysis and modification of workAnalysis of occupational health performance data

World Health Organization (WHO)Global Plan of Action on Workers' Health (2008-2017) Strengthen the governance and leadership function of national health systems to respond to the specific health needs of working populationsEstablish basic levels of health protection at all workplaces to decrease inequalities in workers health between and within countries and strengthen the promotion of health at work.

World Health Organization (WHO)Ensure access of all workers to preventive health services and link occupational health to primary health care.Improve the knowledge base for action on protecting and promoting the health of workers and establish linkages between health and work.Stimulate incorporation of actions on workers health into other policies, such as sustainable development, poverty reduction, trade liberalization, environmental protection and employment.

Financial cost of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) failuresIn 2009, SOCSOs total payout was RM 1.408 billion!

Human cost of Occupational Safety and Health failures - AccidentsAccidents reported to SOCSO in 2009:Total accidents:55,188Commuting accidents20,810Industrial accidents34,378No. accidents/10,000 employees 104No. comm. acc./10,000 employees 39No. of ind. acc./10,00 employees 65

Human cost of Occupational Safety and Health failures Occupational Diseases & PoisoningsChemical agents 75Physical agents 401Biological agents 5Respiratory system 54Skin disorders 37Musculoskeletal diseases 161Cancer 19Others - 197

Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH)Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994To secure the safety, health and welfare of persons at work against risks to safety or health arising out of the activities of persons at work.To protect person at a place of work other than persons at work against risks to safety or health arising out of the activities of persons at work

Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH)Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994To promote an occupational environment for persons at work which is adapted to their physiological and psychological needsTo provide the means whereby the associated occupational safety and health legislations may be progressively replaced by a system of regulations and industry codes of practice operating in combination with the provisions of this Act designed to maintain or improve the standards of safety and health.

Guidelines on Occupational Health Services (OHS) 2005Objectives:To assist employers and Occupational Health practitioners in the implementation of appropriate levels of OHS in their respective organizationsTo guide employers and OH practitioners on how to form an OHSTo encourage all stakeholders to form an OHS

Guidelines on Occupational Health Services (OHS) 2005Provision of OHS byIn-house resourcesExternal resourcesCombination of above

Dependent on:Nature of operations, hazards & risksNumber of workers potentially at riskDuration of operations

Guidelines on Occupational Health Services (OHS) 2005Example:

No. of workersOccupational Health NurseOccupational Health NurseOccupational Health DoctorOccupational Health DoctorPart-timeFull-timePart-timeFull-time50 - 1000XX 1000XX

Inequality in provision of OHSNon-universal coverage:Foreign workersSelf-employedDomestic helpersInformal sectorTemporary/Contract workersCivil servants

Inequality in provision of OHSSmall and medium enterprises:IgnoranceCosts Lack of OHS service providersLack of enforcement

Inequality in provision of OHSFailure of self-regulationMaintenance of low cost of production maintaining competitiveness in global marketDearth of private OHS providers

Inequality in provision of OHSMulti-national Companies:Compliance with national regulationsCompliance with corporate policies

Promotion of Efficiency in Provision of OHSDepartment of Occupational Safety and Healths role:Legislative Enforcement Ministry of Health's role: Provision of OHSLink with primary health care

Promotion of Efficiency in Provision of OHSNational Institute of Occupational Safety and Healths (NIOSH) role:Education and trainingResearch and developmentOccupational Health Practitioners NGOs role:Education and trainingAdvocacy role

Promotion of Efficiency in Provision of OHSUniversities role:EducationResearch and developmentTrade Unions role:Education and trainingResearch and developmentAdvocacy role

ConclusionsProvision of OHS in an equitable and efficient manner is vital to protect the human capitalIn line with ILO, WHO and national aspirations All stakeholders have to take a more active role in securing the health and safety of people at work

Thank you for your attention.Any questions or comments?