Prevention of injuries at work: the role of the occupational physician.
OBJECTIVE
To highlight the role of occupational physician (OP) in occupational injuries (OI) prevention and management. To suggest an approach beyond traditional focus on descriptive epidemiology, engineering interventions, administrative aspects of OI prevention. To promote a person- and enterprise-tailored approach, entailing greater attention to human factors and to practical problems of the specific workplace, with a call to a leading role played by OP.


RESULTS
Analysis of the literature on the broader topic of OI prevention revealed thousands of publications; however, only a handful of them mention or describe the participation of OP in OI prevention. While recognizing that literature search is not the proper and only way to appreciate the current role of OP in this field, therefore, it seems necessary to call OP to a stronger effort in prevention and management of OI, through the context of a comprehensive intervention in cooperation with managers, supervisors, safety personnel and workers, focusing on specific needs of each enterprise. The following areas of OP intervention were examined: risk assessment, health surveillance, management, scientific research and health education. Within each of these topics, possible contributions, methodologies, instruments available for the OP were discussed, taking into account the relevant literature. Pathways for practical applications were illustrated, e.g., OI data generation and analyses, predictors of OI, fitness for work, case management, team work, educational issues, first aid, suggestion for OP contribution in specific research questions.


CONCLUSIONS
OI continue to take a remarkable toll from individuals and society. New multidisciplinary interventions are needed to prevent OI. Focused activities at the single worksite with a central role from OP are definite options. OP is an effective interface between workforce and management and may offer, through a proactive approach, valuable practical and cultural contributions, while respecting technical and ethical guidelines of occupational health professionals.
Porru
Stefano
S
Institute of Occupational Health, University of Brescia, p.le Spedali Civili, 1, 25125 Brescia, Italy. porru@med.unibs.it
Placidi
Donatella
D
Carta
Angela
A
Alessio
Lorenzo
L
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004282:Documentation / Q000379:methods; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016272:Occupational Health; D009787:Occupational Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D024382:Professional Role; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D013192:Staff Development / Q000458:organization & administration; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*