Workers' Health

The Workers' Health team is committed to promoting workers' health equity in the Region of the Americas by providing technical assistance through several preventative approaches to strengthen regulatory frameworks and the leadership of the health sector among Member States; promote workers' health and the development of safe, productive and healthy workplaces; prevent and register diseases, injuries and deaths at work; achieve access to universal health; and support critical economic sectors resulting from the impact they have on workers' health.

PAHO Response

PAHO collaborates with a broad range of work and health stakeholders to implement the Plan of Action on Workers' Health 2015-2025, with an approach on Health in All Policies and responds to national, regional and global priorities for workers' health, as well as to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1, SDG 3, and SDG 8.

COVID-19 Resources

Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19

Rights, roles and responsibilities of health workers

Rational use of PPE for COVID-19

Manual for protecting Health workers and responders

Make Kindness Contagious

A dozen recommendations about kindness in the workplace.

1. Start your workday with a SMILE and a "GOOD MORNING!" Everyone appreciates kindness.

2. ENJOY each moment of your workday. WORK should bring you satisfaction, motivation, and happiness; to achieve these, you should always have a POSITIVE attitude.

3. When you want something, always use the magic words PLEASE and THANK YOU. You'll get more smiles and positive responses.

4. We all have the right to DIFFERENT OPINIONS. So LISTEN with attention, LOOK your coworkers in the eyes, and answer POLITELY and with ASSURANCE, even when you don't agree.

5. Do an ACT OF KINDNESS every day, even if no one asks for it. You'll see: the magic of your kindness will be contagious.

6. When you don't agree with something STOP, take a DEEP BREATH, and THINK before ANSWERING. It will help you keep control of your emotions.

7. Don't be afraid to APOLOGIZE. We all make mistakes! Acknowledging them makes us humble and whole-hearted.

8. DIALOGUE is the best way to communicate effectively and transparently. Don't pay attention to gossip; they only disturb your peace and work environment.

9. ACKNOWLEDGE the qualifications and work of others by PRAISING your colleague's achievements; they will also learn to acknowledge yours, making a more pleasant work environment.

10. COLLABORATE with your coworkers; remember you can also need some help!

11. Avoid JUDGING your colleagues; only they know their inner troubles. Show them RESPECT, and if you can, HELP them as much as they will allow.

12. At the end of the day be THANKFUL for the work you have and say GOODBYE with a SMILE to your fellow workers. You'll feel happier and more satisfied when you get home.

REMEMBER: KIDNESS IS CONTAGIOUS!

Occupational health and safety for health workers in the context of COVID-19

All health workers require knowledge and skills to protect themselves and others from the occupational risks they encounter, so that they can work safely and effectively. This course consists of five sections in response to these needs:

Introduction
Module 1: Infectious risks to health and safety
Module 2: Physical risks to health and safety
Module 3: Psychosocial risks to health and safety
Module 4: Basic occupational health and safety in health services.

We welcome your comments, ideas, and contributions.

Please do not hesitate to contact us to learn how you can become involved.

Workers' Health Program
Pan American Health Organization
525 23rd Street NW
Washington, DC 20037
United States of America
(202)-974-3307
workershealth@paho.org
ocdis@paho.org