Focus

Risks and challenges ahead – New and emerging occupational safety and health (OSH) trends

November 2014

This report describes the methodology and findings of a scoping study examining emerging trends and areas of future concern in OSH and their potential for a future large-scale foresight study. A literature review, telephone interviews, online surveys and a consultation of expert opinion were carried out to identify and assess the suitability of these topics for study. Topics were ranked in terms of importance based on factors such as frequency of mention, the scale of the issue, priority given by stakeholders and likelihood of occurrence. Topics identified for further consideration were impact of ICT on OSH, trends in human resources management and the impact of the financial crisis on OSH.

The project has five phases:

Literature review of foresighting research with a focus on OSH as well as literature that throws a light on any aspect of the future of work that may have consequences for OSH.
Telephone interviews with up to 20 stakeholders.
Electronic online survey of EU-OSHA Governing Board members, EU-OSHA Focal Points and any other experts including stakeholders agreed with EU-OSHA.
Expert consultation on choice of foresighting methods.
Analysis and final reporting.

This report provides findings from the first two of these activities: the literature review and the expert telephone interviews.

Scoping study for a foresight on new and emerging occupational safety and health (OSH) risks and challenges
European Risk Observatory European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, September 2014, 70 pages

https://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/reports/scoping-study-for-a-foresight-on-new-and-emerging-osh-risks-and-challenges/view