On safety and health at work

This are the main messages of the Iberoamerican Congress on Prevention of Work Risk:

--Work accidents have diminished around the world, although many people still suffer from preventable work risk, especially young workers, and even children

--Work related diseases (muscular problems, depression, and stress for example) on the other hand are increasing

This new reality means that the landscape is more complex since the instruments proven to reduce work accidents have less room and new approaches needs to be found to deal with work related diseases

In a long term perspective, the challenge is to extend coverage, specially to small and medium size enterprises

One of the main challenges in the near future is the global crises, since in the attempt to reduce cost, firms may "spend" less in prevention. Prevention must be seen as "investment" and not as a "expenditure"