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Fundamentals of Health at Work is an engaging re-assessment of workplace health, with particular emphasis on the neglected issues of the social context of the working environment and the impact on individuals of their workplaces. In looking at the historical context of the subject and at the concepts of health and illness, a selective series of thoughts emerge linking history, organizational development and health improvement. This text is comprehensive and unique in its multi-disciplinary analysis. It explores workplace health from its theoretical foundations and draws together the themes of occupational medicine, health and safety, workplace health development and occupational health.
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Fundamentals of Health at Work Fundamentals of Health a t Work The social dimensions Carol Wilkinson London and New Y o r k First published 200 1 by Taylor & Francis I I New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada by Taylor & Francis 29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 1000 1-2299 Taylor & Francis is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group 0 200 1 Carol Wilkinson Typeset in Sabon by Deerpark Publishing Services Ltd, Shannon Printed and bound in Great Britain by University Press, Cambridge. All rights reserved. N o part of this book may be reprinted o r reproduced o r utilised in any form o r by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known o r hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, o r in any information storage o r retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. The publisher makes no representation, express or implied, with regard to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and cannot accept any legal responsibility o r liability for any errors o r omissions that may be made. Every effort has been made t o ensure that the advice and information in this book is true and accurate at the time of going to press. However, neither the publisher nor the author can accept any legal responsibility o r liability for any errors o r omissions that may be made. In the case of drug administration, any medical procedure or the use of technical equipment mentioned within this book, you are strongly advised t o consult the manufacturer's guidelines. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloguing in Publication Data Wilkinson, Carol. Fundamentals of health at work : the social dimensions 1 Carol Wilkinson. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-4 19-24820-X -- ISBN 0-4 1 9-24830-7 (pbk.) I. Industrial hygiene--Great Britain. I. Title. ISBN 0-4 19-24820-X (hbk) ISBN 0-4 19-24830-7 (pbk) Acknowledgement This work began as a series of interconnected thoughts about the span of workplace health development, namely occupational medicine, health and safety regulations, workplace health promotion and occupational health. I had the opportunity of meeting and conversing with people who have encouraged me along the way, for which I am truly grateful. These include Richard Wynne, Andrew Tannahill, Erica Wimbush and Arun Midha. Also to Nancy Harding, Emeritus Professor Bill Williams, Barrie Long and David Rea for your faith in me as your student. Special thanks, however, are reserved for Mick Carpenter. I hope we can continue to wrestle with these ideas and concepts on workplace health and illness. Preface This text is intended to be a re-assessment of issues of workplace health. There is particular emphasis on the neglected social context of workplaces and their impact on individuals. In an attempt to wrestle with history and concepts of health and illness, there emerges a series of thoughts linking history, organisational development and health