Reducing health risks arising from child and adolescent labor.

OBJECTIVES The aim of the studywas to work out a program that would help develop the most effective methods for protecting the safety and health of young workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS The program was designed by a multidisciplinary team of experts in occupational and public health, occupational hygiene, health promotion, sociology, and regulatory and control activities. RESULTS The program points out the major aspects to be considered while implementing the existing legislation. The employers should have a proper recognition of health hazards related to working conditions at their enterprises. These should be considered while assessing work capability of adolescents during the pre-placement and periodic medical examinations. Prophylactic examinations for adolescent workers should be oriented towards the potential or existing health hazards and strenuous conditions of in-plant vocational training. It is essential to inform them about work-related health hazards and the preventive methods to be applied by both the workers themselves and the occupational health services. If a health problem or ailment is detected by an occupational physician, the adolescent worker should be referred to primary health care unit for further diagnostics. CONCLUSIONS The most effective ways to protect the safety and health of young workers include a more accurate assessment of working conditions, contracting prophylactic examinations with only one occupational health service unit, providing appropriate risk information to adolescent workers/students, and a closer collaboration between school administration, employers and occupational health services..