Dilemas da atividade do Técnico Superior de Segurança no Trabalho em contexto real de trabalho, estratégias de regulação e impacto na saúde = Dilemmas of the Occupational Health and Safety Professional activity in real working environment, regulation strategies and health impact

Abstract

Several studies have been undertaken in the field of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), but few are those who specifically place the OHS professionals in the focus of study and investigate them while "workers", ie, assuming the point of view of their practical activity. The aim of the present study concerns the analysis of the activity of OHS professionals considering the dilemmas they face and the implications of these on OHS professionals' health. In this sense, a qualitative methodology was privileged by conducting interviews to eight OHS professionals framed in medium and large companies, located in the districts of Aveiro and Porto. Analyzing the results it was found that the dilemma "safety vs. production" was mostly referred by participants as one of the main constraints of its activity followed by the dilemma "proposed measures vs. implementation" on the actions prescribed by OHS professional. The confrontation with these dilemmas requires that undertake different strategies, involving either the employer (always looking to "find alternative") or workers (ensuring, in a sense, the "humanization of safety"), towards the construction of possible compromises. It was also possible to analyze the impact of the work, perceived by the OHS professionals, on their own health. Apart from their frequent exposure to the risks they assess, is noteworthy also complaints related to anxiety and the pressure to which they are subject. Thus, although the studies and the various themes of OHS are vast, it is important to give visibility to those who have it as a profession under penalty of, ironically, being "forgotten" by the principles governing its own activity with that compromise their health and well-being.