Coveiros e saúde laboral: pouco mais que uma reflexão…

Introduction / framework / objectives: Gravediggers are subject to several risks / risk factors; however, the associated bibliography is very scarce. Methodology: This is an Integrative Bibliographic Review, initiated through a survey conducted in April 2017, in the databases “CINALH plus with full text, Medline with full text, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Methodology Register, Nursing and Allied Health Collection: comprehensive, MedicLatina, Academic Search Complete and RCAAP. Content: Digger is the individual who opens the graves in the cemeteries and buries the dead. In the attributed functions are also included the removal of bodies, burials, transfers, exhumations, general civil construction services, cleaning, gardening, garbage collection and treatment, provision of information/ concierge and general maintenance. The irregularity of the tasks associated with funerals allows to interweave with the other general tasks. The work is heavy but divided, which makes it less arduous. In addition, in most of the time there is no pressure, with frequent breaks during working hours. Conclusions: The main risk factors in these professionals are manual handling of loads, forced/maintained postures; Falling objects; Thermal discomfort; Ultraviolet radiation; biological agents; chemical cleaning agents; machines/ instruments, noise, vibrations and dust; long shifts and/ or post-work hours; Falling to different levels and burial. Collective protection measures include mechanical assistance in the heaviest tasks in the handling of loads and forced/ maintained postures, division of the same load by several employees, rotation in the heavier tasks, intercalary tasks with different levels of difficulty level of loads; organization of the service in order to perform outdoor tasks at the heights of the year and day, churning tasks and intercalating tasks with different thermal discomforts; organize resources that allow correct hand and body hygiene; use the least toxic and chemical agents possible, intercalate agents with different toxicities, task turnover with more harmful chemical agents, and have the lowest number of employees exposed; Use modern machines in good condition; reduce the production of noise, promote acoustic insulation, rotate for the noisiest tasks, to intercalate tasks with different sound intensity and to have the fewest number of employees exposed; organize shifts to avoid prolonged shifts and overtime turnover; training for occupational hazards/ risk factors/ personal protective equipment (PPE) and strict compliance with the conditions officially established on the skill sheets. At the EPI level, gloves, footwear with a steel toe, a uniform, a mask, a visor and an ear protection can be considered. As for occupational diseases, the possibility of hernia pathologies, musculoskeletal injuries, oncological pathologies, allergic or contact eczema, asthma and other respiratory illnesses or even hearing loss/ deafness is implied. Finally, in the case of occupational accidents, it is assumed that bruises, fractures and amputations are more likely.