Basic theoretical elements related to the surveillance of the health of the worker includes aims, scenario and stages are treated. The concept of professional disease connected with work and accidents is defined. Surveillance is approached as an axis made up of three components: harmful, dangerous and noxious risk factors, exposure and effect. There exists a poor institutional knowledge about the harmful and dangerous agents which require suitable organization and knowledge for its management. The information along with the communication about in the health surveillance of the worker are strategic elements for the comprehensive development of society, as they conform a means for the necessary knowledge regarding environmental hygiene, safety and protection
