Health and safety at work : a comparative analysis of the Brazilian enforcement framework

The rate of work place accidents and consequential work place fatalities in Brazil is veryhigh. This thesis intends to analyse whether a structured enforcement body with clearpolicies, regulations, standards and guidance is necessary to improve working conditionsand to provide a safe work environment in Brazil.Central to this study is the Brazilian Enforcement Framework. This thesis will focus onenforcement powers and the forms of punishments that are provided to cover breaches ofhealth and safety legislation. It will also focus on the structure of the Enforcement Body.An assessment will be made of the Brazilian Judiciary System, Health and Safety at WorkLegislation and the political, social and economic issues. This will be done in order toidentify if improvements alone to enforcement will be sufficient to reduce the high level ofwork place accidents.The study concluded that Brazil lacks clear and specific health and safety at worklegislation which takes into account the circumstances today such as the workingenvironment, the work force, working relationships and what is necessary to provideprotection to the general public. The conclusion also claims that the political, social andeconomic reality in Brazil does not include a perspective that contributes to promoting ahealth and safety culture generally.Therefore this thesis does not recommend that a newly structured enforcement body beconstructed, it goes far beyond that and recommends that a whole new model of Health andSafety at Work should be created. The recommendation follows the conclusion that anewly structured enforcement body will not be enough to reduce the level of accidents atwork to a more acceptable level. The recommendation takes into account Brazil's realitytoday and a genuine commitment towards health and safety at work on all levels