Worker health in COVID-19 times: Reflections on health, safety, and occupational therapy

Abstract

This theoretical essay aims to point out the main contributions in the health and workers' safety aspects, considering the laws, public policies, international recommendations, and point out possible paths and roles of Occupational Therapy to fight against COVID-19 Brazilian pandemic. The literature shows that health care workers have three times more likely to get infected than the general population. Thus, in Brazil, the Federal Government needs to articulate with the local and regional sphere to create, adapt, implement and inspect laws, policies, and standards on workers' health and safety to ensure conditions to work and reduce health risks for workers during the pandemic. Regarding Occupational Therapy, initial guidelines were pointed out about the work in the occupational health, considering policies of the Unified Health System, National Health Policy for Workers and Federal Council of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy. The actions must be directed not only to health service workers, but also to other essential assistance services, and those who work in an unregulated manner.