This article is the result of a study that analyzed the social determinations of workers who are absent because of work accidents or occupational illness and the relation of this process with the new demands of the productive world, which results in the loss of their capacity to work and in debilitation of their health, leaving them in an unprotected condition. The theoretical-methodological support for the study is critical social theory. A review of the literature about the issue was conducted. Semi-structured interviews were realized with ten workers who experienced the problematic examined in the study from 2010-2012, which were analyzed with a qualitative approach. The results indicate the existence of mechanisms that are exercised by the state that have a strong impact on worker health.
Work; Health; Labor force; Social protection; Social Security