Occupational health and safety policies in Brazil and France: contradictions analysis for the development of prevention.

Despite advances in occupational health and safety (OHS) policies around the world, the problem of occupational accidents and diseases intensifies in various economic sectors, with cuts based on gender, race, income, and occupation. This paper aims to answer two research questions: What are the main contradictions for the development and implementation of OHS policies? What are the implications of overcoming these contradictions in an attempt to improve OHS policies? Based on two previous scoping reviews developed to identify historical contradictions for Brazil and France, we performed a qualitative analysis of common contradictions of both countries using the Cultural Historical Activity Theory. Subsequently, we present how they appear at different levels and propose implications and challenges on OHS policies in order to mediate the identified contradictions. We concluded that tension between economic growth and sustainable work systems is a primary contradiction that leads to other such hindrances in prevention tools, the social agenda, and interinstitutional articulation concerning occupational health. While presenting alternative pathways, this article serves to support the formulation, updating, and implementation of OSH policies.