WHO Global Network of Collaborating
Centers in Occupational Health
Health Workers Working Group
Objective 1 Policy instruments
Priority 1.4 Conduct studies and develop evidencebased tools for the comprehensive protection and promotion of health for health workers, emphasizing
HBV immunization
Initiative leaders: Ahmed Gomaa, Maria Lioce-Mata,
NIOSH (p 20 facilitating project)
WHO: Susan Wilburn
Partners: ILO – Julia Lear, Public Services
International – Jorge Mancillas
ICOH Scientific Committee on Health Workers –
Annalee Yassi and Marie Claude LaVoie

• Biological hazards: bloodborne (HIV, hepatitis, etc) and airborne (flu, TB, etc)
• Musculoskeletal injuries/ergonomics
• Stress/work organization
• Pharmaceutical and chemical risks
• Comprehensive programmes including
Risk assessment/Risk management tools and information dissemination (*new joint project meeting at ICOH HW Oct 2010)

• AFRO – 7 projects (all South Africa)
• AMRO – 5 projects (including facilitating project)
• EMRO – 1 project (Egypt)
• EURO – 6 projects
• SEARO – NO HW projects
• WPRO – 5 projects
17 countries involved directly – impact at least
30 additional countries

• Global framework for national programmes for health workers
• Revision of WHO/NIOSH/PAHO tool kit Protecting health workers – preventing needlestick injuries including tools and materials (TOT, brochures, palm cards, posters) & expand to airborne hazards
– Hepatitis B immunization campaigns
– Respiratory assessment and protection
– Health and safety committee training and walkthrough materials
– Surveillance systems
• WHO Guidelines for health worker immunization

Gaps
• Comprehensive programme for national programmes for occupational health of health workers - assessment and management of all occupational hazards – 50% of countries reporting in the WHO GPA Member State survey
• Coordination and standardization of tools, training, information systems to avoid duplication and enhance quality and comparability across countries
• Immunization campaigns for health workers – 35 % of countries reported full requirement for hepatitis B immunization of health workers
• Geographical gaps and dissemination of tools, resources and best practices

• Integrated migration policies with OSH aspects.
– Partner with rural health networks
– Partner with HR rural migration initiative

• Misconception about the conflict between patient safety and worker safety
– Partnering with patient safety for joint research and programmes
• Promote marketing and uptake of interventions
• AIDE Memoire on hazard awareness
• Describe capabilities needed
• The language for migrant nurses/Improve cultural mediation

• Multiple partnerships planned and existing
(IPC, HIV, HRH, GHWA, etc)
• Joint web site linked to Geolibrary to share tools and best practices
• GOHNET November 30 deadline

“ Be sure to secure your own oxygen mask first before helping another.
”