| Abstract [eng] |
Labour force is constituted of some 45 per cent of the world population. Occupational injuries, as well as work related diseases have a lot of influence on health of the labour force. Diseases, which are not related to work, may also have an impact on efficiency of work. Occupational health and safety (OHS) services are widely recognized as the essential element of healthier and more secure labour environment. The aim of the work is to evaluate activities of OHS services in energy sector companies in Lithuania. The following tasks were raised in order to achieve the aim: to assess the conformity of functions performed by Lithuanian OHS services with ILO Convention No. 161; to identify functions of OHS services in energy sector companies in Lithuania; to identify and evaluate the conformity of human resources of OHS services in energy sector companies in Lithuania with the legislation of the Republic of Lithuania. Conformity of functions of Lithuanian OHS services with ILO Convention No. 161 was assessed on the basis of 11 functions regulated in the Convention. Functions and human resources of the Occupational health and safety services were detected having performed a questionnaire survey in November – December 2009. Questionnaire was drawn up following the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO): Regional Guidelines for the Development of Healthy Workplaces and Basic Occupational Health Services. During the research a questionnaire survey was performed, which examined 14 (53.8 per cent) OHS services in energy sector. Conformity of functions of Lithuanian OHS services showed that regulation of activities of these services in part conforms to ILO Convention No. 161. All the 14 (100 per cent) OHS services in energy sector conducted occupational risk assessment, monitoring of their staff health and working environment. Small part of energy sector companies conducted detection of occupational diseases 4 (28.6 per cent), health care and rehabilitation (35.7 per cent) and performance evaluation 7 (50.0 per cent). Outcome of the research showed that eight functions of OHS services entrenched in ILO No. 161 are fully regulated in the legislation of the Republic of Lithuania, two functions are partially regulated (participation in the development programs for the improvement of working practices, advice on issues of occupational health, safety and hygiene), while one function is not regulated at all (contributing to measures of vocational rehabilitation). All the Lithuanian OHS services in energy sector perform functions of staff health monitoring, assessment of occupational risk and work environment monitoring; however, it was detected that the functions are performed in a smaller scope than it is provided for in the WHO guidelines. Some of the insufficiently developed activities in OHS services in energy sector are the following: detection of occupational diseases (28.6 per cent), health care and rehabilitation (35.7 per cent) and evaluation of efficiency of activities of OHS services. Following the requirements of the legislation of the Republic of Lithuania, number of safety professionals in the OHS services in energy sector companies in Lithuania is sufficient; however, there is a lack of occupational medical doctors, public health professionals and general nurses. |
