This article deals with industrial risks and its effects on health and environment, in a retrospective historical analysis of the creation of present patterns of work, production and consumption in contemporary western societies. Challenges and emerging dilemas from the few past decades are highligted and discussed by the authors in terms of economic globalization, productive restructuring and work management strategies conducted by neoliberal policies. The article focus on the relationship between industrial risks and environment and present research data on morbidity and risks related to industrial accidents in the social-economical-environmental space of the Metropolitan area of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. In doing so, concerns on industrial management and labour organization are highligted.
Work and Health; Industrial Risks; Work and Environment; Globalization