The management of health and safety at work is represented by the set of preventive and protective measures to minimize the exposure of workers to risks that may cause the onset of diseases or increase the number of accidents.

Data on occupational accidents and diseases reported and recognised by the national insurance agency for accidents and work-related illnesses show, in the last 10 years, a progressive decrease in the number of recognized injuries, especially mortal, and a increase in reports of occupational disease, whose percentage of recognition shows a progressive decline .

The decrease in the number of accidents is only partially related to the spread of the safety culture: in fact, the explanation of this trend also includes a progressive reduction in the number of hours worked, also due to the automation of production, the economic crisis and the relocation. Commuting accidents also decreased, albeit to a lesser extent.

The increase in the number of reports of occupational disease, on the other hand, is secondary to the attribution by the physicians and the working population of an ever-increasing number of multiple-etiology diseases to work-related causes.

In order to further reduce the number of accidents and occupational diseases the occupational physician should take on the role of a “global consultant” who, on the basis of specialized notions, collaborates with the technical company staff.

It is necessary that the healthcare professional collaborates to the implementation of systems for the accident management and investigation, and effectively orient the health surveillance: this goal can be achieved by using the risk assessment data in appropriate way and by executing the clinical investigations suggested by the available scientific evidence.

The management of health and safety at work is represented by the set of preventive and protective measures to minimize the exposure of workers to risks that may cause the onset of diseases or increase the number of accidents.

Data on occupational accidents and diseases reported and recognised by the national insurance agency for accidents and work-related illnesses show, in the last 10 years, a progressive decrease in the number of recognized injuries, especially mortal, and a increase in reports of occupational disease, whose percentage of recognition shows a progressive decline .

The decrease in the number of accidents is only partially related to the spread of the safety culture: in fact, the explanation of this trend also includes a progressive reduction in the number of hours worked, also due to the automation of production, the economic crisis and the relocation. Commuting accidents also decreased, albeit to a lesser extent.

The increase in the number of reports of occupational disease, on the other hand, is secondary to the attribution by the physicians and the working population of an ever-increasing number of multiple-etiology diseases to work-related causes.

In order to further reduce the number of accidents and occupational diseases the occupational physician should take on the role of a “global consultant” who, on the basis of specialized notions, collaborates with the technical company staff.

It is necessary that the healthcare professional collaborates to the implementation of systems for the accident management and investigation, and effectively orient the health surveillance: this goal can be achieved by using the risk assessment data in appropriate way and by executing the clinical investigations suggested by the available scientific evidence.