Occupational Health: Focus on Prevention for Well-Being

Q: How does ALSO contribute to the development and promotion of occupational health in the region?

A: ALSO is an association comprising 18 countries, each represented by a society or association. These groups consist of occupational health professionals aiming to promote academic exchange among members and share best practices in all aspects of occupational health.

Occupational health is the medical specialty focused on preventing workplace diseases and risks. Our primary focus is on industrial workers. Unlike other medical specialties, we work with healthy individuals and aim to help them return to their jobs in good health. Occupational health is preventive and concentrates on the well-being of workers and their work environment.

Q: How can industrial workers and operators adapt to the shift toward more technologically advanced work environments?

A: Some workers can transition to this work mode, but many industrial workers and operators cannot make this change. While technology is advancing, we must also consider workers who operate in extreme conditions, endure long hours, or travel long distances. It is a broad landscape, and we must not overlook the operators who are crucial to the country's economy.

Q: How could climate change affect the occupational health of workers, and how should companies prepare to mitigate these effects?

A: One of the primary objectives of the International Labour Organization (ILO) is to address the impacts of climate change on certain job sectors, such as the effects of heat on manufacturing and automotive processes. We must also focus on agricultural workers, who often lack primary healthcare coverage. ILO is generating numerous articles and research to find ways to support workers in extreme conditions and address consequential diseases like dengue. We prepare daily to ensure that the health of workers is not compromised.

Q: What role do governments play in regulating and overseeing occupational health practices to ensure safe and healthy working conditions?

A: Governments still have a great deal of work to do. The regulations in Mexico state that healthcare services must be provided, but these regulations need to be reinforced by experts. ALSO aims to work with authorities to ensure that the industry keeps up with standards and remains up to date.

Q: What alliances are helping ALSO to spread awareness about the importance of occupational health?

A: We seek partnerships with the ILO and the World Health Organization (WHO) through the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). In Mexico, we are in contact with the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) and the Ministry of Labor. Through collaborations with these entities, as well as with unions and other groups, we can work toward regulatory changes. We contributed to the development of the ergonomic standards in NOM-036 and were part of the working group responsible for creating the occupational disease table released by IMSS and the Ministry of Labor.

Q: What are the association’s main targets for 2024 and 2025?

A: We are working on two initiatives: the ALSO International Occupational Health Diploma course and the Latin American Occupational Health Congress. The course brings together highly experienced professors and is offered at a low cost to help students immerse themselves in international occupational health practices. ALSO’s primary objective is education. 

Every two years, we hold the Latin American Occupational Health Congress. In 2025, Mexico will host this event in September, where all members of ALSO will come together to share their experiences.

The Latin American Association for Occupational Health (ALSO) advances workers' health in Latin America through coordinated actions among its multidisciplinary members and associated entities.