The ICOH 2022 conference was held virtually in response to the epidemic COVID-19. Taiwan OSHA participated online from February 6 to 11, 2022. The topics of the conference include prevention of infectious diseases in the workplace, mental health, post-pandemic return to work, resurgence of silicosis, shift work, essential occupational health services in least and intermediate developed countries, etc. The conference also discussed issues related to the impact of COVID-19 on the workplace. International organizations and various themes raised concerns that the practice and research of occupational hygiene and health during the epidemic will be crowded out by priority issues of epidemic prevention and work resumption.

The conference discussed occupational caners, which have gradually increased year by year because of long-term exposed to CMR substances. In response to this issue, Taiwan OSHA has already launched a blueprint for occupational cancer prevention by administrating CMR substances. According to the blueprint plan, we will keep looking at how the existing CMR substances in the factory work and the current preventive measures to confirm whether it is possible to ensure that workers can effectively prevent cancer through methods such as substitution and reduction of exposure.

The conference reminded us that we should remember the lessons and experiences brought by this epidemic COVID-19. We cannot predict the development of the epidemic and the possibility and

timing of its recurrence in the future. Prevention and control strategies should be prepared and rehearsed on a regular education and training.

In Taiwan, the “Labor Occupational Accident Insurance and Protection Act” came into effect on May 1, 2022.In accordance with the Act and with reference to the experience learned from this meeting, OSHA will expand service capacities for injured or ill workers, and build an integrated service network of accredited healthcare institutions and accredited occupational rehabilitation institutions to provide integrated services for diagnosis and treatment of occupational injuries and illnesses. OSHA will also expand reporting of occupational injuries and illnesses, assist workers who have suffered occupational accidents to restore and strengthen their job skills, give affected workers more effective services.