The objective of this study is to ponder on occupational health, searching for the meaning of work to workers' health. The premise is not to quantify, but to infer that the work conditions can generate damages to health, although this relationship is not always immediately apparent. Three situations that contemplate rural and informal work, as well as child labor are discussed, using a qualitative approach. As a result, the contradiction of work is verified. It could be a synonym for sociability, but on the other hand, it is a mechanism for social exclusion, when conducted without the recognition of the workers' social and labor rights. The expansion of jobs without regulation have been observed such as the ones conducted at home or within families, or on the streets and at the waste landfills. The article ends by discussing the role of the Public Unified Health System (SUS) in the "integral assistance" to workers' health and the challenge of acting with a preventive perspective and towards occupational health promotion, in a joint effort with other public organization in this field.
occupational health; work accidents; occupational diseases; public health and public policy