The gap between what has been defined and what is still pending in occupational health surveillance

Abstract

The scope of this paper is to address some questions about Occupational Health Surveillance (VISAT) in Brazil based on various elements of analysis, in order to contribute to the debate on this theme at the Fourth National Conference on Occupational Health. The topics discussed in the article are: the role of Reference Centers for Occupational Health (CEREST) as a place for discussing VISAT; training and qualification of the VISAT agents; commitment of workers as subjects of VISAT action; strategies for intersectorial liaison with other areas of the State; and the dialogue between peers working in the field of research and action of VISAT. It should be emphasized that in Brazil there is specific legislation on VISAT that is a priority of the National Labor Policy. The conclusion drawn is that heavy investment in the training of agents and the development of specific guidelines is needed to implement systematic and intersectorial actions in this respect. At the time of the Conference, the greatest expression of the exercise of social control, it is recommended that the participation in surveillance 1procedures of health workers be evaluated as a precondition to ensure the effectiveness of these actions.