Aquaculture occupational safety and health in Brazil.

Abstract

Abstract Health, safety and injury prevention actions should be prioritized in aquaculture, where workers are exposed to a wide range of risks. This paper is based on a scoping report by a group of international experts, funded by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and administered by Fisheries and Aquaculture Workers Network of the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers' Associations (IUF). Relevant literature was reviewed and the study drew on an international workshop to develop templates and related for regional and national aquaculture occupational safety and health (AOSH) profiles. The literature review included Scielo and Google Scholar databases as well as Google and Brazilian government websites. The searches included material in Portuguese, English and Spanish. The results reported here give an overview of Brazilian AOSH and hazards and cover Brazilian and relevant international worker health and safety laws and organization applicable to the particular hazards in aquaculture. There is a special emphasis on the position of children and women workers linked to the wider social organization of work and welfare, and finally the challenges to and possibilities for good AOSH. Despite major developments in aquaculture production, much still needs to be improved to ensure the safety and health of workers in the sector.