Occupational health; An international response to an international problem

摘要

Long gestation disease where cause and effect are remote inrntime or space, are difficult to assess in static industries. Thernperipatetic workforce of exploration and production companiesrnmakes epidemiological studies difficult. When allied to anrnindustry utilizing large numbers of casual and contractrnworkers, epidemiological methods are put to the test.rnDifficulties include the departure of older workers well beforernnormal retirement and thus before the diseases of longrnexposure periods may have become apparent.rnAn employee tracking system that follows from firstrnemployment to death, no matter how long after leaving thernindustry, is needed. The international nature of operators andrncontractors demands an international industry initiative.rnIn particular there is a need to address the issue of work relatedrnstress. At best stress management and counseling placernresponsibility on the employee. Responsibility lies with thernemployer, particularly because the major stressors arerngenerated by the employer, the client or the contractor.rnWherever generated, they impact on all those involved.rnAn industry initiative to establish a tracking system willrnrequire close working between operators, contractors and tradernunions and should also develop the linkage to stress resolution.rnThe author is responsible health and safety issues covering thern420,000 members of the skilled and professional union MSF inrnthe UK and Ireland. prior to this he was responsible forrnorganising offshore workers in the UK.