OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CULTURE IN BRAZIL

Introduction:   The author presents a review of the history of occupational safety and health in Brazil,  including technical and cultural aspects and it evolution in the last five centuries.  This period of 500 years was divided in 5 phases : 1- slave labor, 2- immigrant labor,            3-  industrial labor, 4- developed labor, 5- post-modern labor    

Methods:  Small historical review for analysis of each phase, with reference of early occupational  diseases.  Description of the creation of Fundacentro – Brazilian Institute of Occupational Safety and  Health   Description of the foundation of the National Association on Occupational Medicine of Brazil  (ANAMT) and the pioneering of occupational physicians  Development of ICOH in Brazil is described as an important tool.  ICOH2003 Congress in Brazil is described as a boundary between old and new  occupational health culture in the country    

Results:  The knowledge of the history of the country was important for understanding the evolution of the  occupational health and it development, in all phases.   Brazilian general culture was changing in the whole period due to the different colonization, and it  influence in the occupational health culture.  The actual occupational health culture is quite modern, in agreement to ILO Recommendations,  ICOH Code of Ethics and Brazilian polices.    

Discussion   A country with a strong OH association has the tools for changing the culture.   A country with actives ICOH members has also strong tools for improving changes in the culture   Hosting an ICOH Congress should be understood as a strong key for provoking cultural and mental change regarding occupational health.