Julia Flintrop, Project Manager at EU-OSHA, discussed the impact of working conditions on workers’ mental health during an interview with Spanish national radio RNE’s international channel.
During the interview, she addressed key challenges such as psychosocial risks, mental health and wellbeing, and specific issues regarding the concept of burnout, as well as strategies to prevent and manage them.
Summary:
The ILO article on wage statistics explores how working conditions and wages significantly impact workers’ quality of life. It emphasizes that employment alone does not guarantee a decent living without adequate working conditions and fair remuneration. Monitoring wage trends provides crucial insights into whether workers benefit from productivity gains.
Key Points:
Relevance: These statistics are vital for policymakers aiming to promote decent work, reduce inequalities, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Half of EU farmers and farm workers endure high workloads and long hours that regularly exceed 48 hours per week. They often work in isolated rural areas and face the need for constant availability without time off. These and other psychosocial risk factors can lead to high rates of stress, anxiety, and depression. Statistically there are higher suicide rates in this sector compared to other occupations.
The new EU-OSHA report explores how exposure to psychosocial risks affects farmers and farm workers, outlines initiatives to protect their mental health and increase awareness on this topic in agriculture.
Learn more about how to safeguard mental health and manage psychosocial risks in agriculture in the full report.
Read more about the topic in our dedicated section: Psychosocial risks and mental health at work.
20 December 2024 | Emergency Situational Updates
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Health Organization (WHO), and World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) have released an updated joint public health assessment concerning recent influenza A(H5N1) virus events in animals and humans. Based on data as of 18 November 2024, the assessment concludes that the global public health risk posed by these viruses remains low.
The FAO, WHO, and WOAH anticipate additional human infections due to ongoing exposure risks. However, the public health impact of these cases is expected to remain minimal at a global scale.
This updated assessment is part of ongoing efforts by global organizations to address zoonotic diseases and their potential impact on public health. The Global Influenza Programme (GIP) and Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System under WHO continue to coordinate international responses and research to mitigate risks.
For further details, download the complete report: FAO/WHO/WOAH Assessment (476.2 kB)
Ensuring health and safety in the workplace is crucial for the well-being of employees and the smooth functioning of organizations. This article explores key aspects of health and safety at work, recent legal updates, and relevant legislation in Spain, Italy, and the European Union, along with trusted sources of information for staying informed.
Workplace health and safety is essential for preventing accidents, injuries, and illnesses. It not only protects employees but also minimizes downtime, increases productivity, and enhances employee satisfaction. Employers have a legal and ethical obligation to create a safe working environment, conduct risk assessments, and provide appropriate training and equipment.
To maintain a safe workplace, organizations should:
By integrating these practices, businesses can foster a culture of safety, ensuring compliance with legislation while protecting the well-being of their workforce.
ENSHPO
Smart glasses for remote OSH assessments, a wristwatch that tracks real-time exposure to hand-arm vibration and smart insoles to prevent accidents like falls are examples of smart digital systems for occupational safety and health (OSH). EU-OSHA has published nine case studies that explore how OSH monitoring systems are implemented across sectors.
These systems use digital technology to collect and analyse data to identify OSH risks and prevent harm. However, they bring challenges related to workers’ privacy or the possibility of increasing psychosocial risks, such as work intensification.
Discover the comparative report of case studies
Explore a full range of publications on smart digital systems.
EU-OSHA has launched six new presentations based on the OSH in figures in the health and social care sector report, shedding light on occupational safety and health (OSH) data in this field.
Topics include the characterisation of workers, detailing workforce demographics such as age and gender, and OSH risks that highlights physical and psychosocial hazards faced by workers. Work-related health outcomes reveals, among other things, that 44% of workers report musculoskeletal issues. OSH management explores implementation of practices like risk assessments, while drivers and barriers examines factors influencing safe procedures. The package is completed by a presentation analysing worker participation in safety and health matters.
For more information, visit the report and the dedicated OSH section for health and social care.
Did you know that 46% of EU construction workers are under extreme time pressure and work overload? This, combined with job insecurity, technological demands, and the green transition, is amplifying psychosocial risks and mental health challenges in the industry.
Hazardous environments and social isolation further add to the stress. Addressing these issues is critical to ensuring well-being in a sector that builds the backbone of our communities.
The EU-OSHA report, “Mental Health in the Construction Sector”, explores these challenges and offers actionable solutions.
Workers in the EU health and social care sectors experience one of the highest rates of work-related health risks, according to new EU-OSHA research. Almost half of the 21.5 million workers in this field report in a survey how they face negative occupational safety and health (OSH) risks: healthcare (52%), residential care (47%), and social work (37%).
The new report offers important insights into the state of the HesCare sector. It highlights key facts and figures on OSH-related risks, provides evidence-based insights, and sets out policy pointers to help improve working conditions in this wide-ranging sector.
Learn more about EU-OSHA’s research project on OSH in health and social care.
ENSHPO is the leading voice of the OSH professionals in Europe to promote safety and health at work and engage with decision makers and regulators
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