The World Health Organization has identified a worldwide shortage of occupational health professionals, but evidence suggests that the work and education of these professionals vary across countries. This survey examined the professional development of occupational physicians, occupational nurses, industrial hygienists, and ergonomists in terms of practice competencies and academic curriculum. Of 89 countries that received the survey, 48 (54%) responded. Important differences in competencies and curricula were identified for all groups. More competencies were identified more frequently in developed countries. Academic programs existed more often in developed countries, but curriculum contents varied. The study provides a concrete reference point for discussion and development of competencies and curriculum.

In the past, the hazards facing child care workers have largely been ignored by health and safety professionals, due in part to a lack of awareness of hazards and inconsistencies in state health and safety requirements. The aim of this paper is to provide a summary and critique of the literature on the topic of occupational health and safety concerns for child care workers. Twenty-seven articles pertaining to child care workers, published between 1980 and 1998, were reviewed. The job roles and tasks related to physical care, janitorial functions and participation in child recreation lead to risk of exposure to biological, physical and chemical hazards. Psychological stressors were found to contribute to high levels of job dissatisfaction and turnover. infectious disease transmission was the major topic of focus in the literature, whereas US statistical data for illnesses and injuries for this classification of workers revealed injuries as the prominent health problem. Directions for future research are described.

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A nonrandom sample of child care workers was surveyed to assess whether child care work represented an “at risk” health and safety culture and to measure the organizational dimensions contributing to the health and safety culture. The child care workers in Houston, Texas, were surveyed by mail, using an instrument developed by the research team. The sample population represented 34 child care centers ( n = 240 respondents). The analysis yielded five factors related to determinants of health and safety culture. The participants had a favorable perception of the five health and safety determinants. The participants also reported high levels of injury and illness in their environments, suggesting a less than favorable situation. A culture, work, and health model was useful in examining the relationship between health and safety and organizational culture.