Intersectoral action in workers’ health

challenges and possibilities

Abstract

This article discusses the difficulties and the potentials of intersectoral action in Workers’ Health, starting by the analysis of a concrete case, a work accident which involved 14 workers, in which the National Health System (SUS), the Reference Center in Health (Cerest), the Public Labor Ministry (MPT), a public institution of Higher Education and the workers involved had important participation. The course of investigation of the accident, the various types of education provided to the affected workers and the legal measures, health and surveillance actions, are presented as contributions to the reflections on how an intersectoral action contributes to the integral and resolute attention to the workers’ health. The results point to a local integration as fundamental support for the implementation of intersectoral actions and indicate the importance of the interested workers participation in this process. It also stands out the need for actions in Work Health, such as policies provided by the State, to be effectively incorporated into SUS actions, as a stage of the National Policy on Safety, Health and Environment at Workplace.