Occupational health in the Western Pacific

Occupational health deals with all aspects of health and safety in the workplace and has a strong focus on the prevention of hazards. It is especially important given that people spend on average one-third of their lives in the workplace where they produce all the goods and services of countries. Currently, the majority of workers do not have access even to basic occupational health services, which include prevention of occupational risks, health surveillance, and training in safe working. The most vulnerable groups are workers at small and medium-sized enterprises, agricultural workers, and workers in the informal sector.