Are there shifts being seen in recent occupational safety and health (OSH) research in comparison to traditional OSH research focuses of past decades? What are some of the causes for such shifts, and what are the emerging trends in the field?
The key law for employers and employees is the Germany's Occupational Safety and Health Act from 1996. This law defines the obligations of employers to keep their employees safe and healthy. This includes documentation of OSH at the workplace and informing the employees on how to take care of their own safety and health at work.In accordance with the EU strategy on health and safety at work 2007 to 2012, the German government, federal states and accident insurance funds – in cooperation with health insurance funds, professional organizations and research institutions – developed the “Common German Strategy for Occupational Safety and Health
https://www.wiso.uni-hamburg.de/fileadmin/sozialoekonomie/vwl/amg/Beblo_Publikationen/Health_at_Work_-_Beblo__Schneider__2010.pdf
In the second industry revolution, many of he OSH laws focus on machinery used in the manufacturing plants. Later on, the focus shifted to construction. Iin many countries here the agriculture sector is manned by elder, female or foreign labour, there tend to record higher accident rate. On the other gand, occupational health is gaining importance with growinng awareness and reported iccupational illnesses and increased in occupational health hazards due to high paced and urbanised business society.
With the economic downturn in the EU in 2008/9 there has been job intensification, high precarious employment (temporary employment) and much organisational reorganisation. With this has brought emerging psychological risks which is of major concern to Occupational Health and Safety. Psychological complaints are one of the highest risk factors and is increasing in Europe (and elsewhere). The risks are harder to assess and manage and can have a bearing on other traditional risk factors (physical, chemical and biological). Efforts are increasing to address psychosocial risks in the workplace, these are more prevalent in the education sector, healthcare and many service sectors such as retail and hotel services.
Thank you. I appreciate your insights.
While Krishnan's response focused on Germany, do you have insights about shifting trends in the US or UK/wider EU context?
Worker participation is also considered as a major shift. Worker can assist in the formation and implementation of the OSH management plan, enhance commitment etc.
This is the EU-OSHA guide:
https://osha.europa.eu/en/tools-and-publications/publications/reports/workers-participation-in-OSH_guide
Many thanks for your response, including the link, Ioannis.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Social Psychology
- Attitude