Challenges and Prospects for Integrating the Assessment of Health Impacts in the Licensing Process of Large Capital Project in Brazil.

Brazil was one of the first countries in Latin America to institutionalize a National Environmental Policy in 1981, including the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process of economic activities with anticipated impacts on the environment. Today, EIA practice in Brazil comes with a number of limitations: it is constrained by its environmental advocacy role; application is strongly oriented towards large capital projects; and social responsibility considerations are only partially included. Consequently, EIA studies mainly address issues connected to localised and direct environmental impacts, largely ignoring any socio-economic and health impacts. This perspective paper highlights limitations of current EIA practice in Brazil with a focus on health considerations in impact assessment. While recognizing the positive impact to municipalities where large capital projects are being developed and operated, adverse impacts on health are a reality with measurable evidence in Brazil. Therefore, we argue that specificities on how to systematically assess and monitor potential health impacts cannot remain invisible in the Brazilian legislation, as currently seen in the reformulation of the licensing process in the country. The process of better integrating the assessment of health impacts in the licensing process of large capital project in Brazil must, however, not be based on the imposition of an external model but should be promoted by internal stakeholders from the environmental and health sector, incorporating the experiences gained in various case studies from all over the country.

Análise descritiva dos acidentes de trabalho ocorridos em Porto Velho (RO) entre 2002 e 2012 / Descriptive analysis of labour accidents occurred in Porto Velho (RO) between 2002 and 2012

RESUMO Realizou-se análise descritiva da série histórica de acidentes de trabalho ocorridos entre 2002 e 2012, em Porto Velho (RO), a fim de identificar se houve aumento relacionado com a implantação das obras do Programa de Aceleração do Crescimento no município. Foram utilizados dados do Ministério da Previdência Social e da Relação Anual de Informações Sociais. Verificou-se aumento na incidência de acidentes de trabalho em Porto Velho a partir de 2008, quando se iniciaram as grandes obras. Embora não haja informações suficientes para estimar a carga de acidentes atribuíveis às obras, evidencia-se a necessidade de tomar medidas para o controle de riscos em grandes empreendimentos.

Abstract We conducted a descriptive analysis of the historical series of labour accidents occurred between 2002 and 2012, in Porto Velho (RO), in order to identify if there was increase related to the implementation of works of the Growth Acceleration Program in the municipality. Data from the Ministry of Social Security and the Annual Social Information Report were used. An increase in the labour accidents rates was observed from 2008, when the great works began. Although there is insufficient information to estimate the burden of labour accidents attributable to works, we reinforce the need to take actions for reducing workplace risks in large projects.