[Motivating instruments behind occupational health activities and their efficiency in expert judgment].
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to analyze and compare economic incentives practices in occupational safety and health (OSH) in the chosen EU countries and the USA, based on expert judgment.


METHODS
The information for the analysis was collected by using a questionnaire filled by experts from international organizations. It was supplemented by direct consultations with experts and experts' reports.


RESULTS
Economic incentives in OSH do exist in each country under study. The institutions engaged in providing economic incentives are as follows: social insurance, disability pension private insurance, state institutions supervising occupational health, health insurance, state institutions providing regulations, accident insurance. Experts evaluated the influence of state and insurance institutions on economic incentives promotion, as medium, and that of employers' organizations and trade unions as weak. They also confirmed a particular role of cost/benefit analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Economic incentives are considered as a managerial instrument enabling individual and flexible health protection management at different levels in enterprises as opposed to the legislation that only provides for the observation of minimum standards. Economic incentives can be used faster and more effectively. Legal regulation is a slow process and proves to be a less effective tool.
Rydlewska-Liszkowska
Izabela
I
Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. J. Nofera, Łódź, Zakład Polityki Zdrowotnej. iza_ez@imp.lodz.pl
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D017049:Employer Health Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005060:Europe; D005062:European Union / Q000191:economics; D006264:Health Benefit Plans, Employee / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000191:economics; D009787:Occupational Medicine / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation; D012943:Social Security / Q000191:economics; D014481:United States; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data