Epidemiological Surviellance Model for people exposure to stressors used in a Flexible Packaging Company in Mexico

Global statistics do not accurately reflect this region’s occupational health problems. In 2010, the WHO reported the incidence of work-related illnesses per 10,000 workers in Latin America at 57; the United States, 18.3; Finland, 20; developed countries, 38; and interestingly Mexico, at only 4.1. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) puts this figure between 30-50 worldwide.  Despite the statistical indicators, this does not mean that Mexico does not have occupational illnesses. This misunderstanding resides in the lack of a clear definition of occupational illnesses and consistent methodology for detecting cases and following up on people exposed to stressors.    To remedy this, we propose a prospective epidemiological model based on the definition of epidemiology and recording the occurrence of the event at the time of the study: “SURVEILLANCE”: A Prospective Longitudinal Epidemiological Design.   This model consists of having the Industrial Hygiene area assist in assessing potential health risks to workers exposed to all chemical, physical, biological and biomechanical agents. It also involves creating and maintaining a record of worker exposure levels that corresponds to the follow-up given to workers and job profiles, developing the basic characterization of Homogenous Exposure Groups (HEG) and having qualitative risk assessments that classify risks according to health effects and exposure levels. Identifying a group or person at risk requires studies in occupational health monitoring using both direct methods (biological monitoring) and indirect methods (effects monitoring).   It is also important to know the full consequences of this lack of control: legal and work-related implications; worker compensation; the cost of investment to minimize risks; short, medium and long-term follow-up programs; job changes; rotating shifts; etc. Moreover, promoting awareness about work-related risk prevention, actively participating in occupational health aspects of new projects, process modifications and continuous improvement is essential to the success of the result of this program.