Occupational health crossing borders part 2: Comparison of 18 occupational health systems across the globe.
BACKGROUND
Occupational health and safety (OHS) is considered one of the most important factors for a sustainable development; however, it is often considered a luxury by decision-makers. This article compares OHS systems of 18 countries at different stages of development.


METHODS
In an international summer school, structure of the national OHS system, definition of occupational accidents and diseases, procedures for compensation claims, outcome (expressed as incidence of occupational accidents) and training opportunities were presented.


RESULTS
National OHS systems ranged from non-existent to systems implemented almost 200 years ago. Priorities, incidence of occupational accidents and training opportunities varied. Common problems included the lack of OHS service for small enterprises and in rural areas.


CONCLUSIONS
International training programs like this summer school might enhance the exchange about OHS opportunities around the globe and contribute to improved workers health.
Radon
Katja
K
Unit for Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology & Net Teaching, Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Clinical Centre of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Ziemssenstrasse 1, Munich, Germany. katja.radon@med.lmu.de
Ehrenstein
Vera
V
Nowak
Dennis
D
Bigaignon-Cantineau
Janine
J
Gonzalez
Maria
M
Vellore
Arun Dev
AD
Zamora
Veronica Enzina
VE
Gupta
Neeraj
N
Huang
Lirong
L
Kandkers
Salamat
S
Lanza
Ana María Menchú
AM
Garcia
Leila Posenato
LP
Patsis
Keti Stylianos
KS
Rojas
Ana Maria Sanchez
AM
Shoma
Ashraf
A
Verbeek
Jos
J
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003906:Developing Countries; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007393:International Educational Exchange; D038622:Internationality; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009787:Occupational Medicine / Q000193:education; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*