Automotive, Aerospace Industries Adopt IMSS’s ELSSA

Automotive and aerospace manufacturing companies in Queretaro adopted the IMSS’s Safe and Healthy Work Environments Program (ELSSA), signing the National Agreement for Health, Security and Wellness of Workers at Queretaro’s Bombardier plant. The IMSS invited the chambers, associations and federations of these industries to be part of this initiative through the Confederation of Industrial Chambers of Mexico (CONCAMIN).

“IMSS developed ELSSA to transform the working environment by offering virtual training activities, deploying preventive strategies within companies, offering spaces for workers to exercise or stretch, identifying working risks and even changing the offered meals and drinks for healthier options,” said Olga Martínez Montañez, Normative Coordinator at the Directorate of Economic and Social Benefits, IMSS, to MBN. 

ELSSA aims to establish a preventive and health promotion culture among the aerospace and automotive sectors to strengthen their competitiveness. This program will also reinforce the already established measures within the supply chain of both sectors, according to José Zozaya, President, AMIA. As of today, 145 aerospace and automotive companies have adhered to the program. 

The ELSSA strategy aims to prevent labor risks and promote early detection of diseases such as diabetes, obesity and hypertension. It also offers companies the necessary tools to improve the quality of life of their employees and evaluates them throughout the program. The organizations that affiliate to ELSSA can benefit from savings in consultancies and support services, while decreasing labor accidents and chronic diseases across their workforce, as reported by MBN. 

“In the government, we work to achieve the best working conditions for the people of Queretaro, thus, we provide tools and protect our talented workforce. This is how we are going to take Queretaro to the next level, I know that together we are going to achieve it,” said Kuri González, Governor of Queretaro. 

In the global automotive industry, 153 workers suffer an accident every 15 seconds, according to the International Labor Organization (ILO), said Zoé Robledo, Director General, IMSS. The majority of these accidents occur in the manufacturing and assembly lines. This sector reports the highest number of labor accidents and diseases. 

ELSSA aims to change behaviors to transform the workspace, while promoting workers' rights and health education. It also prioritizes training regarding digital platforms. The program was created after the IMSS identified common vulnerabilities affecting workers during the pandemic, such as chronic diseases.

“In IMSS, we continue working to achieve the balance between what is fair for workers and possible for companies,” said Robledo.