Occupational health services—companies' friends or foes? What about the workers?

Abstract

Occupational health services were created in the 19th century as part of social measures to counterbalance the negative effects of the Industrial Revolution, often in private initiative of fabric owners to ensure a dependable workforce. Later on these initiatives were further developed and supported by tripartite international and national labor law. Globalizations of trade and increasing market pressure have lead to a change in work and work-related health effects and require an adaptation of occupational health care. National regulation, responsible corporate management and multi-stakeholder action and support will be necessary to ensure occupational health and well-being in large and small enterprises and to limit human suffering and economic loss resulting from preventable work-related injuries and ill-health. Developments such as Corporate Social Responsibility, Global Compact and a wide range of good practice examples provide evidence that corporations begin to embark on their new role.