Occupational Health And Safety Issues Research Articles

Policy utilisation of occupational safety and health research: results from a tripartite unicameral parliamentary system in Denmark

Background: Use of research evidence in policy decisions is under-researched. Especially, there is a need for more research in countries with different forms of government than bicameral legislatures. Aims and objectives: This article examines the impact of occupational safety and health (OSH) research on decision-makers in a tripartite unicameral parliamentary system (legislature and agreements). More specifically, we identify and discuss information acquisition and types of research use in policy decisions. Methods: Using both semi-structured and structured questions, we conducted 30 interviews distributed evenly within three groups of elite political actors: elected members of parliament; top-level public administrators; and social partner politicians. Analysis and reporting were subject to investigator triangulation. Findings: The three groups of elite political actors acquire information about OSH issues from different sources. The most important are: interest groups, networks and internal specialists. Findings show that elite actors generally use research knowledge conceptually and instrumentally, and to a lesser degree strategically and tactically. Many types of information influence politicians. They mostly perceive themselves as initiators of new research. The social partners primarily perceive themselves as users of new research results to initiate change and influence political decisions. Discussion and conclusion: How and when research knowledge is used differs between the three groups. It is important for researchers to tailor research communication to the particular needs of different stakeholders and interact directly with the elite actors and indirectly through lower level specialists from stakeholder organisations, and gain exposure through external sources such as the press and social media.

Safety and health among undeclared workers: A mixed methods study investigating social partner experiences and strategies

Little is known about the experiences of the social partners in helping undeclared workers resist Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) issues. This study draws upon Walter Korpi’s ‘power resource theory’ to gain a deeper understanding of how power resources within the construction, transport, and cleaning sectors influence the ability of social partners to respond to OSH issues related to undeclared work.This mixed-method study uses survey data from employer representatives in the construction (n = 686) and transport (n = 650) sectors in Sweden in 2019 to estimate the nature and magnitude of undeclared work-related problems. To also study the view of union representatives, a duplicate survey was sent to union representatives in the transport, construction, and cleaning sectors (n = 57) in 2020, followed by 13 semi-structured interviews with Regional Safety Representatives (RSRs) in 2021–2023. Our findings show that employer representatives in construction and transport reported that the violation of OSH regulations was uncommon and remained unchanged, most union representatives said the opposite. We found a gradient of activism among the unions towards OSH issues related to undeclared work dependent on their power resources. Furthermore, structural and organizational factors limited the RSRs’ ability to address undeclared work. The RSRs identified strategies to tackle OSH issues related to undeclared work in their sectors, these included but were not limited to, dismantling the language barrier between unions and undeclared foreign-born workers, for OSH coordinators and main contractors to be held responsible for OSH violations and greater cooperation between the relevant authorities dealing with undeclared work.

Arbeitsschutz „im Huckepack“ – ein alternatives Konzept zur Ansprache von Unternehmen auf Sicherheits- und Gesundheitsthemen. Teil II: Erprobung in einer Maßnahme für Kleinunternehmen

Occupational safety “piggybacked” – an alternative concept for addressing companies with safety and health issues. Part II: Implementation in a measure for small businesses Background: Entrepreneurs in small businesses represent a challenging but also underestimated target group for occupational safety and health (OSH) prevention activities. Objective: Referring to the article published in ASU 6/2023 on the theoretical foundation of the “piggyback method”, an alternative concept for addressing small business owners on OSH issues is being developed and implemented. Method: OSH issues were linked by content to topics preferred by the target group and presented according to the principles of second-order conditioning. The interactive events were marketed by two chambers and evaluated by an online survey with a random sample of n = 40. Results: The procedure and implementation were rated positively overall by the participants. The OSH issues (target stimulus) were rated as just as relevant as the lack of skilled workers and self-care (context stimuli). Conclusions: The results speak for the usefulness of the “piggyback method” for OSH prevention activities. However, the results are not sufficient as a proof of effectiveness; this requires further practical tests and evaluations. Keywords: occupational safety and health – small businesses – entrepreneurs – evaluation

Occupational safety and health and temporary agency work in multiemployer restaurants.

Current occupational safety and health (OSH) literature calls for sociotechnical, system-level approaches that increase understanding of the underlying reasons for insufficient OSH performance in nonstandard employment that is associated with lower labour and social security protection when compared with traditional forms of work. This study focused on temporary agency work (TAW) which is a central form of nonstandard employment. The objective was to explore OSH issues in temporary agency work (TAW) in small and medium-sized multiemployer restaurants in Finland and discuss the issues from the perspectives of the agency worker, user company and agency. A directed content analysis method was used to examine the data obtained from semi-structured interviews (n = 20) with agency workers, restaurant managers and experts representing the temporary work agencies, a pension insurer, and a labour union. The balanced work system theory was used as a framework for this qualitative analysis. A variety of OSH risks and hazards in TAW were identified. In addition, the complexity of OSH management was highlighted in this triangular employment relationship between the agency worker, the user company, and the agency. This study reveals problems related to OSH in TAW. Restaurants are entities separate from agencies, so establishing and adhering to a common process of OSH management is not simple.

A systematic review of the application of immersive technologies for safety and health management in the construction sector

Introduction: The construction industry employs about 7% of global manpower and contributes about 6% to the global economy. However, statistics have depicted that the construction industry contributes significantly to workplace fatalities and injuries despite multiple interventions (including technological applications) implemented by governments and construction companies. Recently, immersive technologies as part of a suite of industry 4.0 technologies, have also strongly emerged as a viable pathway to help address poor construction occupational safety and health (OSH) performance. Method: With the aim of gaining a broad view of different construction OSH issues addressed using immersive technologies, a review on the application of immersive technologies for construction OSH management is conducted using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) approach and bibliometric analysis of literature. This resulted in the evaluation of 117 relevant papers collected from three online databases (Scopus, Web of Science, and Engineering Village). Results: The review revealed that literature have focused on the application of various immersive technologies for hazard identification and visualization, safety training, design for safety, risk perception, and assessment in various construction works. The review identified several limitations regarding the use of immersive technologies, which include the low level of adoption of the developed immersive technologies for OSH management by the construction industry, very limited research on the application of immersive technologies for health hazards, and limited focus on the comparison of the effectiveness of various immersive technologies for construction OSH management. Conclusions and Practical Applications: For future research, it is recommended to identify possible reasons for the low transition level from research to industry practice and proffer solutions to the identified issues. Another recommendation is the study of the effectiveness of the use of immersive technologies for addressing health hazards in comparison to the conventional methods.

Occupational health and safety in initial vocational training: Reflection on the issues of prescription and integration in teaching and learning activities

Vocational training (VT) is an important lever for organisations and workers. Training efforts are made at various levels to integrate occupational safety and health (OSH) into VT. OSH training often focuses on basic knowledge and compliance with rules to be applied or enforced. However, activities in schools, internships and jobs involve complex OSH issues, which imply real skills to be integrated into the activity, in a real context. Without taking into account knowledge and activity in context, training content and approaches may have a limited scope and affect the transfer of learning to the work situation. Behavioural modelling to control attitudes to risk, through strict procedures, may be necessary, but other learning needs to take place. Training in safety rules is only one of the levers to be activated to prevent risks and develop a culture of prevention.This article presents a critical review of the issues of OSH education in VT for students and teachers. The introduction will set the context, the issues and the scientific approach. A theoretical framework will position the issues of prescription from the point of view of an ergonomic approach. This will be followed by a review of initiatives to integrate OSH into training. In particular, two approaches to integrating OSH into teacher training in Quebec, in which the author has participated, will be presented. In conclusion, a summary of the key points will open up perspectives for the development of OSH management in VT, which could be useful in contexts other than Quebec.

Emerging OSH Issues in Installation and Maintenance of Floating Solar Photovoltaic Projects and Their Link with Sustainable Development Goals.

ObjectiveEmerging issues of occupational safety and health (OSH) in floating solar photovoltaic projects (FSPV) have rarely been addressed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The current scoping review has been planned to demonstrate OSH issues experienced by the workers engaged in the installation and maintenance of FSPV projects and existing ergonomics design interventions in the solar photovoltaic industry with a focus on the FSPV sector.MethodsA literature review was conducted from four major electronic databases (Science Direct, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus) using predefined keywords and following the PRISMA framework for the period 1965–2020. A total of 49 studies under five headings, namely a) overview of key reasons for the emergence of floating solar photovoltaic projects, b) occupational risks of workers engaged in the solar PV industry/FSPV sector, c) occupational risks in workplaces/occupations similar to floating solar photovoltaics projects, d) availability of training modules and occupational standards, and e) design interventions/approaches in the solar PV industry/floating photovoltaics sector were analyzed.ResultsIt emerged that workers are exposed to multifarious occupational risk factors such as heat, solar radiation, ergonomic risks, electrocution, fire, hazardous substances, adverse weather conditions, and psychosocial factors. These risks have not been adequately addressed with required interventions in the FSPV sector. Intervention opportunities include designing innovative tools, lowering of loads, redesigning workplace layouts, introducing job aids, automation, task rotation, job enlargement, design of training modules, OSH standards and changes in work organization/shift, etc.ConclusionThis review is a first-of-its-kind effort to highlight the contextual risk factors in the emerging FSPV sector and the need for addressing them through ergonomics design interventions for successfully achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Machine learning in occupational safety and health: protocol for a systematic review

Industry 4.0 has shaped the way people look at the world and interact with it, especially concerning the work environment with respect to occupational safety and health (OSH). Machine learning (ML), as a branch of Artificial Intelligence (AI), can be effectively used to create expert systems to exhibit intelligent behavior to provide solutions to complicated problems and finally process massive data. Therefore, a study is proposed to provide the best methodological practice in the light of ML. Alongside the review of previous investigations, the following research aims to determine the ML approaches appropriate to OSH issues. In other words, highlighting specific ML methodologies, which have been employed successfully in others areas. Bearing this objective in mind, one can identify an appropriate ML technique to solve a problem in the OSH domain. Accordingly, several questions were designed to conduct the research. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension for Protocols and Systematic Reviews were used to draw the research outline. The chosen databases were SCOPUS, PubMed, Science Direct, Inspect, and Web of Science. A set of keywords related to the topic were defined, and both exclusion and inclusion criteria were determined. All of the eligible papers will be analyzed, and the extracted information will be included in an Excel form sheet. The results will be presented in a narrative-based form. Additionally, all tables summarizing the most important findings will be offered.

Contribution of ICOH to Address the Different OSH Needs among Countries: Results of a Survey.

The aim of this study is to map the coverage of occupational safety and health (OSH) rules and provisions and their enforcement at a country level worldwide. Members’ participation in the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) activities was also investigated. We used a questionnaire-based survey to collect data. An online questionnaire was administered from February 14 to March 18, 2018 to all ICOH members for the triennium 2015 to 2017 (n = 1929). We received 384 completed questionnaires from 79 countries, with a 20% response rate. To synthesize information about the coverage of OSH rules and provisions and their level of enforcement, a synthetic coverage index was calculated and combined with country, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and the human development index (HDI). We used multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) to analyze the members’ participation in ICOH activities. More than 90.0% of the sample declared that in their own country there is a set of rules and provisions regulating OSH in the workplace, and training procedures and tools to improve workers’ awareness. However, these rules and training procedures are mainly “partially” enforced and utilized (39.0% and 45.4%). There was no statistically significant association between country and GDP per capita and the synthetic coverage index, whilst controlling for HDI. The level of engagement in ICOH activities is higher in senior members (aged 65 years or older), coming from high-income countries, having held a position within ICOH, with a higher level of education and a researcher position. An integrated and multidisciplinary approach, which includes research, education and training, is needed to address OSH issues and their impact both at global and country level.

Generating health and safety knowledge for innovative and sustainable workplaces: a PEROSH Perspective

PEROSH is the Partnership for European Research in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH).The PEROSH vision is that policymakers, workplaces and other stakeholders across Europe areinspired by and use knowledge generated by PEROSH in their efforts to develop innovativeand sustainable workplaces which are healthy and safe. PEROSH comprises 14 nationalresearch institutes from 13 countries on the continent of Europe. Each institute plays a keynational role through their affiliation to government, health and accident insurance systems,or industry and trade unions. The partnership acts collectively to: strengthen cooperation onOSH research and accelerate the generation of knowledge in key areas of OSH; anddisseminate and exchange knowledge and information on OSH issues. In 2019, TheInternational Labour Organization identified that PEROSH has “strong national and regional[European] policy impact”. This paper gives an overview of PEROSH: an introduction to itshistory and strategy; governance and structure; and core activities including the PEROSH JointResearch Programme and the PEROSH international Wellbeing at Work conference series. Itsummarises PEROSH outreach and networking activities at national, European and globallevel. The paper concludes with reflections on the importance of robust scientific evidence tounderpin and inform the actions of stakeholders for a sustainable world of work which ishealthy and safe.

Factors Related to Workplace Well-Being: Occupational Health and Safety of Older Workers in Hong Kong

As Hong Kong is undergoing rapid population ageing over the past few decades, and this trend is expected to persist due to low fertility rates and extended life expectancy. This trend has significant implications for Hong Kong’s labor market and workforce. This study aims to gain a better understanding of the experiences, needs, and definitions of older workers in Hong Kong. It helps to draw attention to issues of occupational safety and health (OSH) risks and help identifying and promoting strategies and interventions for effectively supporting the ageing workforce in the workplace. The major objective of this research is to identify the OSH problems and challenges perceived by the older workers, employers and other stakeholders. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods are applied. A qualitative study with focus groups and individual in-depth interviews have been conducted with a representative sample of 70 stakeholders, including employees, employers, representative of labour unions, policymakers, NGO representatives and researchers in the related disciplines. We obtained their views on age-related changes within the older workforce and how such changes would affect their work ability, the OSH issues facing the older workers in different industries, and the facilitators and barriers associated with remaining in or joining the labour force. Feasible intervention strategies for effectively supporting the ageing workforce in the workplace are also being identified.

Evaluating Oregon's occupational public health surveillance system based on the CDC updated guidelines

BackgroundThe Oregon Occupational Public Health Program (OOPHP) monitors occupational health indicators (OHIs) to inform occupational safety and health (OSH) surveillance. In 2018, OOPHP evaluated the performance of the OSH surveillance system and identified areas for future improvement.MethodsFollowing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated guidelines for evaluating public health surveillance systems, the OOPHP evaluation team engaged internal and external stakeholders using a mixed‐methods approach. Operational measures for ten surveillance attributes were developed. Multiple data collection methods resulted in credible evidence for evaluation conclusions. Analyses included summary statistics and qualitative analysis of interviews, a focus group, and online surveys.ResultsTwenty stakeholders took part in this evaluation, with an average participation rate of 55%. Results showed the Oregon OSH surveillance system was simple, flexible, and highly accepted by its stakeholders. Funding security presents challenges for stability. A lack of timeliness of OHIs, low relevance of OHIs to local OSH issues, and the system's ineffectual data dissemination all limit the usefulness of the OSH surveillance system. A review of key data sources for the system showed good data quality and predictive value positive, but relatively poor sensitivity and representativeness.ConclusionsThe evaluation team successfully adapted attributes and examples in the CDC guidelines to this Oregon OSH surveillance evaluation. The evaluation findings have informed the development of recommendations for improvements to OOPHP's OSH surveillance. Future research is needed to develop guidance specific to OSH surveillance evaluation.

Risk Perceptions and Safety Cultures in the Handling of Nanomaterials in Academia and Industry.

ObjectivesWork and research with nanomaterials (NMs) has primarily focused on innovation, toxicity, governance, safety management tools, and public perceptions. The aim of this study was to identify academia and industry occupational safety and health (OSH) managers’ perceptions and handling of NMs, in relation to safety culture.MethodsSemistructured interviews were carried out with OSH managers at six academic institutions and six industrial companies. The interview statements were coded into five topics regarding NMs: risk comprehension, information gathering, actions, communication, and compliance. The statements were then coded according to a five-step safety culture maturity model reflecting increasing occupational safety maturity from passive, to reactive, active, proactive, and exemplary occupational safety.ResultsThe safety culture maturity of the academic institutions were primarily active and proactive, whereas the industry group were primarily active and reactive. None of the statements were rated as exemplary, with the majority reflecting an active safety culture. The topics varied from a passive approach of having no focus on NMs and regarding risks as a part of the job, to applying proactive measures in the design, production, application, and waste management phases. Communication and introduction to OSH issues regarding NMs as well as compliance provided challenges in both academia and industry, given the increasing cultural and linguistic diversity of students/staff and employees. Workplace leaders played a crucial role in establishing a legitimate approach to working safely with NMs, however, the currently available OSH information for NMs were described as insufficient, impractical, and inaccessible. There was an embedded problem in solely relying on safety data sheets, which were often not nanospecific, as this may have led to underprotection.ConclusionsThere is a need for more structured, up-to-date, easily accessible, and user-friendly tools and information regarding toxicity and threshold limit values, relevant OSH promotion information, legislation, and other rules. The study underscores the need for politicians and engineers to collaborate with communication experts and both natural and social scientists in effectively framing information on NMs. Such a collaboration should allow for flexible deployment of multilevel and integrated safety culture initiatives to support sustainable nanotechnology and operational excellence.

Proactive prevention in occupational safety and health: how to identify tomorrow's prevention priorities and preventive measures

Introduction. Global trends such as digitalization, globalization and demographic change are changing workplaces, and accordingly occupational safety and health (OSH) needs. To better prepare for the future and to foster proactive prevention, the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) established an OSH risk observatory (RO OSH). Methods. The RO OSH relies on an online survey and calls upon the expertise of labour inspectors. In total, 398 labour inspectors participated in the first RO OSH enquiry. They rated developments with regard to their sector-specific relevance for OSH in the near future. The RO OSH also provides ideas for preventive measures that can be implemented by the German Social Accident Insurance Institutions. Results. Work intensity, demographic aspects and digitalization play a major role for most or all sectors. However, familiar OSH issues such as musculoskeletal strain and noise also continue to be of major importance and require further consideration and specific solutions in prevention. Outlook. For the DGUV, training and consulting have great potential for proactive prevention in these priority areas, e.g., by fostering a prevention culture and supporting companies in (psychosocial) risk assessment (also for mobile work). For instance, concepts for increasing physical activity at sedentary workplaces and data security require continued research.

Young Workers' Access to and Awareness of Occupational Safety and Health Services: Age-Differences and Possible Drivers in a Large Survey of Employees in Italy.

Young workers are in particular need of occupational safety and health (OSH) services, but it is unclear whether they have the necessary access to such services. We compared young with older workers in terms of the access to and awareness of OSH services, and examined if differences in employment conditions accounted for age-differences. We used survey data from Italy (INSuLA 1, 2014), with a sample of 8000 employed men and women aged 19 to 65 years, including 732 young workers aged under 30 years. Six questions measured access to services, and five questions assessed awareness of different OSH issues. Several employment conditions were included. Analyses revealed that young workers had less access and a lower awareness of OSH issues compared with older workers. For instance, odds ratios (OR) suggest that young workers had a 1.44 times higher likelihood [95%—confidence interval 1.21–1.70] of having no access to an occupational physician, and were more likely (2.22 [1.39–3.38]) to be unaware of legal OSH frameworks. Adjustment for selected employment conditions (company size, temporary contract) substantially reduced OR’s, indicating that these conditions contribute to differences between older and younger workers. We conclude that OSH management should pay particular attention to young workers in general and, to young workers in precarious employment, and working in small companies in particular.

Self-employed individuals performing different types of work have different occupational safety and health problems.

We assessed the occupational safety and health (OSH) issues of self-employed individuals in Korea. The working conditions and OSH issues in three groups were analyzed using the Korean Working Conditions Survey of 2014. Among self-employed individuals, "Physical work" was more common among males, whereas "Emotional work" was more common among females. Self-employed individuals performing "Mental work" had more education, higher incomes, and the lowest exposure to physical/chemical and ergonomic hazards in the workplace. In contrast, those performing "Physical work" were older, had less education, lower incomes, greater exposure to physical/chemical and ergonomic hazards in the workplace, and more health problems. Individuals performing "Physical work" were most vulnerable to OSH problems. The self-employed are a heterogeneous group of individuals. We suggest development of specific strategies that focus on workers performing "Physical work" to improve the health and safety of self-employed workers in Korea.

Lost in translation: The challenge of adapting integrated approaches for worker health and safety for low- and middle-income countries.

ObjectivesTo describe the process of adapting an intervention integrating occupational safety and health (OSH) and health promotion for manufacturing worksites in India and the challenges faced in implementing it; and explore how globalization trends may influence the implementation of these integrated approaches in India and other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).MethodsThis study—conducted in 22 manufacturing worksites in Mumbai, India—adapted and implemented an evidence-based intervention tested in the U.S. that integrated OSH and tobacco control. The systematic adaptation process included formative research and pilot testing, to ensure that the tested intervention was tailored to the local setting. We used qualitative methods and process evaluation to assess the extent to which this intervention was implemented, and to explore barriers to implementation.ResultsWhile participating worksites agreed to implement this intervention, not all components of the adapted intervention were implemented fully in the 10 worksites assigned to the intervention condition. We found that the OSH infrastructure in India focused predominantly on regulatory compliance, medical screening (secondary prevention) and the treatment of injuries. We observed generally low levels of leadership support and commitment to OSH, evidenced by minimal management participation in the intervention, reluctance to discuss OSH issues with the study team or workers, and little receptivity to recommendations resulting from the industrial hygienist’s reports.ConclusionIndia presents one example of a LMIC with a rising burden of non-communicable diseases and intensified exposures to both physical and organizational hazards on the job. Our experiences highlight the importance of national and global trends that shape workers’ experiences on the job and their related health outcomes. Beyond a singular focus on prevention of non-communicable diseases, coordinated national and international efforts are needed to address worker health outcomes in the context of the conditions of work that clearly shape them.

Safety and Health Practices in the Food Industry and Ergonomic Interventions

Occupational safety and health (OSH) problems of the food industry have not been generally perceived as a serious issue in the same way as other industries such as healthcare, transportation, mining, and construction sectors. Statistics from various countries show that OSH issues from the food sector have one of the worst records in the manufacturing industries [1,2]. There are also evidences that some OSH aspects in the food industry are getting worse. Despite global economic declines in the recent years, the food and drink businesses have continued to expand in response to the growing worldwide demands for processed foods and drinks [1,2]. In this context of expansion and intensified competition, the food industry has experienced rationalization, restructuring, and a high level of mechanization, in both the industrialized and developing countries [1,2]. As a result, the overall worldwide employment levels in the sector have continued to expand, particularly in the highly capital-intensive drink industry has suffered. Moreover, mechanization has often had the effect of increasing the work volumes and the resulting stress levels of workers, as well as increasing the number of monotonous and repetitive tasks, with a consequent rise in the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Increased automation has also been accompanied by higher noise levels, which has led to more workers suffering from hearing impediments [3]. Other common OSH problems in the food industry arise out of handling sharp cutting tools, exposing dusts in the air, contacting with infected animals, and increasing use of hazardous chemicals [3].

Awareness of the Regulations and Industry Codes of Practice Vis-a-Vis the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994: A Study among the Masters and Crews Working in Vessels of Commercial Fishing Industry

The Fisheries Act 1985 is the current legislation regulating the fishing industry in Malaysia. However in terms of occupational safety and health at the workplace, the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act 1994 are applicable to all the fishing operations in Malaysia. The activities of fishing on vessels are exposed to lots of hazards due to unsafe act and unsafe conditions. As a result, accidents at the workplace happen due to the aforementioned reasons. Hence, the workplaces for Masters and Crews in fishing vessels must be safe and conducive to work. Following the enactment of the OSH Act in 1994, various initiatives have been implemented by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) to increase awareness and knowledge of OSH in the workplace, including among Masters and Crews working in fishing vessels. DOSH have also circulated “Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health in Fishing and Aquaculture Operations”. At this juncture, both the employer and employees ought to be well-informed of some of the requirements stipulated in the OSH Act 1994 which have bearing on the safety of the Masters and Crews working in fishing vessels. The objective of this study was to determine the level of OSH awareness and knowledge among the Masters and the Crews working in fishing vessels with regards to the safety at the workplace. A study was conducted using questionnaire addressing general OSH issues, OSH legislations, occupational hazards at the workplace and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n5p269

A survey of safety and health at work in Greece

PurposeThe subject of occupational safety and health (OSH) is increasingly gaining the interest of policy makers and researchers in European countries given that the economic and social losses from work‐related injuries and diseases are quite substantial. Under this light, this paper aims to present an overview of the Greek legislation framework regarding OSH issues, and the current status of empirical research on the subject in Greece. In addition, the paper seeks to identify the knowledge gaps and methodological shortcomings of the existing literature in order to contribute towards future research in the OSH field in Greece.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted an extensive literature review of numerous publications, reports and institutions' databases.FindingsThe results suggest that empirical up to date research in Greece is rather inadequate, mainly because of the absence of econometric methods to validate the findings. The available Greek databases indicate that while the number of working accidents has decreased over time, the severity seems to be increasing. Males are more prone to accidents, diseases and negative working conditions. Work‐related stress is an aspect of occupational problems that has been the subject of many Greek studies.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the legal framework is quite adequate, there is a need for both prevention strategies and enforcement of the existing safety regulations. Furthermore, a substantial research gap is observed in Greece. Therefore, more systematic research is needed on the determinants of injuries and on their effects on job participation and productivity.Originality/valueThe paper presents a detailed review of the current state of research regarding OSH issues in Greece.