Sociological and economic implications of health hazards at work

Abstract

Every three minutes somewhere in the world a worker dies of an occupational injury or illness and every second at least three workers are injured. Each year about 180,000 workers meet their death and 110,000,000 are injured in occupational accidents. These facts and figures show that occupational health hazards are indeed a reality. This dissertation will deal with occupational safety and health problems. It will first analyse and define certain theoretical and technical terms. Chapter 2 deals with the development of an occupational health and safety awareness with special reference to local history. The institutionalization and the role the State should play in this field, will be discussed in the following chapter. Chapter 4, in turn deals with the economic aspect, and applies cost-benefit analysis to the health and safety problem at work. The most recent trends and what seems to be the trend for the years to come in this area of study will be described in Chapter 5. The concluding chapter will summarize the main developments in the field of social policy and indicate the main trends for the future.