This study attempts to provide impetus to the expansion of occupational health services. It is necessary to link their development with that of national occupational safety and health systems representing the whole infrastructure of occupational health practice. In 2003, the International Labour Organization adopted a global strategy based on the management systems approach to occupational safety and health. Its key element is the development of national occupational safety and health programs focusing on national priorities to be summarized as national occupational safety and health profiles. National programs are time-bound strategies providing coherent improvement in national systems as an integral part of socioeconomic development. Occupational health services, being the key element of national occupational safety and health systems, will be specifically targeted.

Key terms national occupational safety and health system; occupational health services; occupational safety and health system; OHS; socioeconomic development