Onde residem os riscos profissionais? Um estudo das condições de trabalho e o seu impacto percebido pelos trabalhadores no setor da cortiça

Abstract

Professional changes, particularly in work organization, are associated to emerging new professional risks, as well as new configurations of existing risks. It is thus imperative to analyze the activity and its risk factors. The general goal of this study is to assess the working conditions and risk factors perceived by workers in the cork sector, as well as the perception of these risks in their health. With regards to the methodology, the use of Inquérito Saúde e Trabalho – INSAT (Health and Work Enquiry) (Barros-Duarte, Cunha, Lacomblez, 2013) has been privileged. This data is complemented by outcomes from actual observation of the work itself. For the outcome analysis, a quantitative approach was adopted, with a comprehensive perspective that bears in mind specific work contexts. The main outcomes generally confirm the risks frequently associated to the activity in an industrial context, namely exposure to unhealthy noise levels or to the adoption of awkward posture (Eurofund, 2012). Still, there is a shared perception from workers that the activity doesn’t negatively affect their health. This opinion is defended even by those who admit to suffering from several health conditions related to their work, such as musculoskeletal disorders. It is thus vital to continue giving visibility to these matters.

Date of Award	23 Jul 2015
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Liliana Maria da Silva Cunha (Supervisor) & Joana Fernandes (Co-Supervisor)