Objective
to construct a conceptual definition of the work intensification process and workers’ health as an object of study.
Methods
the theoretical approach is based on the historical materialism, which, in the field of Collective Health/Worker’s Health, is expressed on the social determination of the health-disease process. The discussion is grounded on the recent scientific knowledge production on this issue, structured on two axes: work intensification, and work intensification and workers' health.
Discussion
the analysis showed that labor intensification is associated with exploitation practices, such as longer working hours, intense work pace, management by stress and, at the same time, worker's knowledge expropriation by the management, i.e., expropriation of their physical, intellectual and psychic capabilities. These processes determine a variety of health problems and the manifestation of wearing down and diffuse suffering among workers. Conceptually, the object "work intensification and workers' health" can be defined and studied in the exploitation specific practices and worker's knowledge expropriation, tending to weaken their collective ability to protect health and question the determination of health problems.
work intensification and workers’ health; Workers’ Health; management by stress; diffuse suffering; penibility at work