{"id":2789,"date":"2023-08-04T11:12:03","date_gmt":"2023-08-04T10:12:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sepri.pt\/noticia\/occupational-medicine-in-portugal-legislation-operation-scope-and-advantages\/"},"modified":"2023-08-04T11:12:03","modified_gmt":"2023-08-04T10:12:03","slug":"occupational-medicine-in-portugal-legislation-operation-scope-and-advantages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sepri.pt\/en\/noticia\/occupational-medicine-in-portugal-legislation-operation-scope-and-advantages\/","title":{"rendered":"Occupational Medicine in Portugal: Legislation, Operation, Scope and Advantages"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Occupational medicine plays an essential role in protecting the health and safety of workers in Portugal.<\/p>\n<p>Over the years, the country has developed comprehensive legislation and effective policies to ensure that employers fulfill their responsibilities in relation to occupational health.<\/p>\n<p>In this article, we&#8217;ll look at the applicable legislation, how the occupational health system works in Portugal, what it includes and the advantages it offers.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>1. occupational medicine legislation in Portugal<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pgdlisboa.pt\/leis\/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=1158&amp;tabela=leis\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Law no. 102\/2009, of September 10,<\/a> in its current wording, is the most important milestone in this field and lays down the foundations for health and safety at work.<br \/>\nThe law applies to all sectors of economic activity and all workers, including self-employed and temporary workers. <\/p>\n<p>Another important document is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pgdlisboa.pt\/leis\/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=1047&amp;tabela=leis\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Law No. 7\/2009, of February 12,<\/a> which establishes the legal framework for employment contracts and the rights and duties of the parties involved in the employment relationship.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>2. How occupational medicine works<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sepri.pt\/pt\/noticia\/medicina-do-trabalho-servi%C3%A7os-or%C3%A7amento\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Occupational<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dgs.pt\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">health<\/a> services can be provided by internal services provided by the companies themselves, or by external services provided by specialized entities recognized by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dgs.pt\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Directorate-General<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/portal.act.gov.pt\/Pages\/Home.aspx\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">for<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dgs.pt\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Health<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/portal.act.gov.pt\/Pages\/Home.aspx\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Working Conditions Authority<\/a>, such as SEPRI.<br \/>\nThese services are essential for monitoring and promoting workers&#8217; health, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sepri.pt\/pt\/noticia\/seguran%C3%A7a-sa%C3%BAde-trabalho-braga-o-que-a-sua-empresa-deve-garantir\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">preventing accidents at work<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sepri.pt\/pt\/noticia\/doen%C3%A7as-profissionais\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">occupational illnesses<\/a>, as well as supporting the reintegration of employees after medical leave. <\/p>\n<p>Employers have a legal obligation to ensure that their workers have access to compulsory medical examinations related to their work activity and the sector in which they operate.<br \/>\nThese examinations are carried out at different times, such as on admission, periodically, occasionally during employment and sometimes on dismissal. <\/p>\n<h3><strong>3. What occupational medicine includes<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p>Occupational medicine in Portugal covers several essential areas to ensure a healthy and safe working environment.<br \/>\nSome of the main aspects include: <\/p>\n<p><strong>3.1.<br \/>\nExames M\u00e9dicos Obrigat\u00f3rios:   <\/strong>mandatory medical examinations are designed to assess the worker&#8217;s ability to perform their duties, as well as to identify possible health risks.<br \/>\nThese examinations vary according to the type of professional activity and the risks associated with it. <\/p>\n<p><strong>3.2.<br \/>\nAvalia\u00e7\u00e3o de Riscos Ocupacionais:   <\/strong>assessing the risks associated with work tasks is a crucial step in preventing accidents and occupational illnesses.<br \/>\nOccupational health professionals collaborate with occupational safety professionals to identify and propose measures to prevent and protect workers.<br \/>\nThese recommendations are usually made after a visit to the workplace.  <\/p>\n<p><strong>3.3.<br \/>\nColaborar na Investiga\u00e7\u00e3o de Acidentes de Trabalho e Gerir os Processos de Doen\u00e7as Profissionais:   <\/strong>When accidents occur at work, it is essential to investigate their causes and circumstances.<br \/>\nThis analysis makes it possible to identify faults and implement corrective actions to prevent similar events from occurring in the future.<br \/>\nThe same applies to the management and handling of occupational illness cases.  <\/p>\n<p><strong>3.4.<br \/>\nProgramas de Promo\u00e7\u00e3o da Sa\u00fade:   <\/strong>In addition to preventing accidents, occupational medicine promotes the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sepri.pt\/pt\/noticia\/sa%C3%BAde-mental-e-alimenta%C3%A7%C3%A3o-como-se-relacionam\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">health and well-being of<\/a> workers by acting in a preventive rather than curative manner.<br \/>\nThis can include programs to encourage <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sepri.pt\/pt\/noticia\/ginastica-laboral-empresas-beneficios-como-implementar\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">physical activity<\/a>, prevention of alcohol and drug use and actions to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sepri.pt\/pt\/noticia\/gerir-ansiedade-no-trabalho-tecnicas-para-acalmar\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">manage stress<\/a> in the workplace. <\/p>\n<h3><strong>4. Advantages of occupational medicine<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p>Occupational medicine offers many advantages for companies, workers and society in general:<\/p>\n<p><strong>4.1.<br \/>\nProte\u00e7\u00e3o da Sa\u00fade dos Trabalhadores:   <\/strong>workers&#8217; health is protected through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sepri.pt\/pt\/noticia\/Medicina-do-Trabalho-Lisboa\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">regular examinations<\/a> and the early identification of possible work-related health problems.<br \/>\nThis allows for timely and appropriate treatment, preventing medical conditions from worsening. <\/p>\n<p><strong>4.2.<br \/>\nPreven\u00e7\u00e3o de Acidentes e Doen\u00e7as Profissionais: <\/strong>  risk assessment and control helps <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/OxE-dVrQlfk\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">prevent accidents and<\/a> work-related <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/OxE-dVrQlfk\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">illnesses<\/a>.<br \/>\nThis results in lower absenteeism, increased productivity and reduced <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/18_aj5u1znJ-uKf4yRVYApyC6-M5rMr_R\/view?usp=sharing\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">direct and indirect costs<\/a> associated with accidents at work. <\/p>\n<p><strong>4.3.<br \/>\nCumprimento da Legisla\u00e7\u00e3o: <\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sepri.pt\/pt\/noticia\/pilares-do-trabalho-seguro-e-saud%C3%A1vel\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">occupational<\/a> medicine helps companies meet their legal obligations with regard to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sepri.pt\/pt\/noticia\/pilares-do-trabalho-seguro-e-saud%C3%A1vel\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">occupational health<\/a>.<br \/>\nCompliance with legislation avoids fines and legal sanctions, protecting the reputation and sustainability of the business. <\/p>\n<p><strong>4.4.<br \/>\nMelhoria do Clima Organizacional:   <\/strong>promoting employee health and well-being contributes to a safer working environment, with healthier and happier people.<br \/>\nThis can lead to increased employee satisfaction and, consequently, an improved organizational climate. <\/p>\n<p><strong>4.5.<br \/>\nContribui\u00e7\u00e3o para a Economia: <\/strong>  occupational medicine plays a significant role in preserving the workforce and reducing health-related costs, as it acts preventively and in the context where people of working age spend most of their time: at work.<br \/>\nHealthy employees are more productive, resulting in economic benefits for both companies and society as a whole. <\/p>\n<h3><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p>Occupational medicine in Portugal is an essential area for guaranteeing the health and safety of workers.<br \/>\nThrough mandatory medical examinations, risk assessment and prevention, investigation of occupational diseases and the development of holistic health promotion programs, occupational medicine contributes to a healthy working environment, a reduction in occupational diseases and an increase in productivity.<br \/>\nThe benefits achieved extend beyond companies, positively impacting society and the economy as a whole.  <\/p>\n<p>Therefore, investing in occupational medicine is a strategic measure that brings significant returns in terms of well-being and business success.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Occupational medicine plays an essential role in protecting the health and safety of workers in Portugal.<br \/>\nIn this article, we&#8217;ll look at the applicable legislation, how the occupational health system works in Portugal, what it includes and the advantages it offers. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3005,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2789","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sepri.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2789","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sepri.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sepri.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sepri.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sepri.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2789"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sepri.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2789\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sepri.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3005"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sepri.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2789"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sepri.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2789"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sepri.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2789"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}