WORK ACCIDENTS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF NURSES IN THEIR PREVENTION

Abstract

In Brazil, a work-related accident occurs every 32 seconds, resulting in 673,000 recorded incidents in 2022. In this context, the occupational nurse plays a vital role in occupational health, being responsible for the promotion, protection, and prevention of workers' health. The aim of this study is to analyze the role of the nurse in the prevention of work accidents through a narrative literature review. The databases consulted were Google Scholar, Bdenf, Medline, and Pubmed, as well as electronic data from the Ministry of Health. The inclusion criteria encompassed scientific articles published in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, available in full text, from 2019 to 2024. A total of 45 articles were analyzed, leading to four main topics: National Policy on Worker Health (PNSTT); epidemiology of work accidents in Brazil; competencies and actions of the occupational nurse; and the importance of nursing in the Internal Commission for Accident Prevention (CIPA). The study highlights the work of the occupational nurse and the relevance of the PNSTT and its components. Therefore, the study emphasizes the crucial role of the occupational nurse in raising awareness and educating workers, contributing to the reduction of workplace accident rates.