Prospects of the prevention of work accidents and occupational diseases and occupational diseased based on risk assessment in agriculture

Hajós, László

During the previous decade fundamental changes have taken place in the political and economic structure of Hungary. This transition, called also change of regime, had far-reaching effects also on the agricultural population of the country. Unfortunately, however, no significant change can be detected in the prevention of work accidents and occupational diseases so far.

In the spring of the year 2004 Hungary will officially become a member state of the European Union, which means that the Union’s labour safety and accident prevention regulations will apply to all the sectors of economy, including agriculture. (As a matter of fact, most of them are already regarded as being in force.)

The Constitution of the Republic of Hungary states that her citizens are entitled to fullest mental and physical health. This right is ensured by the Republic of Hungary through the provision of a health care system, maintenance of medical institutions, and labour safety measures.

A substantial improvement in the level of accident prevention and labour safety in small farms in Hungary is expected from the introduction of an independent accident insurance system, the extension of the Labour Safety Act to small farms, the assessment of risk factors in them, the dissemination experience acquired in Western Europe, the analyses of data on accidents (cause, place, injuries caused, and consequences), and the measures to be taken on the basis of all this.

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