EN
Workplace health threats bring with them the risk of occupational diseases and work accidents [1-4]. The aim of this study was to describe the main health threats emerging from working conditions in the Podlasie region and to compare these outcomes with the overall situation in Poland. This paper describes the analysis of the structure of occupational diseases and accidents in Podlasie. The analysis was performed based on the data gathered by the Main Statistical Office (GUS), National Labour Inspectorate (PIP) and Regional Labour Inspectorate in Białystok (OIP), Podlasie Voivodship Labour Medicine Centre (PWOMP) and Voivodship Sanitary Inspectorate in Białystok (WSSE). Furthermore, a review of legal acts and literature has been performed. The results indicate that the main group of occupational diseases in Podlasie is contagious and parasitic diseases, among them borreliosis (over 70%). In Poland the main problem is long-term glottis disease, emerging from repeated speaking of teachers. It was the result of lack of medical and educational prophylaxis concerning voice emission. The highest number of occupational accidents in 2005 in Podlasie region was observed in trade – similar to Poland overall. Observed occupational accidents were related with workers with the shortest work experience (less than 1 year) – about 30% of victims. The following conclusions were drawn based on the above-mentioned results: 1. The biggest problem in Podlasie is the presence of contagious and parasitic diseases; the high borreliosis incidences which belong to this group are related to farmers and foresters. 2. The main cause of occupational diseases in Podlasie region was workers’ misbehaviour. Trade workers were the main group of occupational accident victims in Podlasie. Most often the least experienced workers were injured.