Better work processes for healthcare professionals

Health and social care workers are exposed to different occupational safety and health risks across Europe. A recent ESENER study (European Survey of Enterprises on New and Emerging Risks). investigates currently the risks and management of ergonomic and psychosocial factors. The data are based on comparisons between European countries and their industries.

Wearable devices as an opportunity for better processes

According to the conclusions, digitalization and mechanization, for example, could play an important role in mitigating ergonomic risks in this area and could assume greater importance in the future. The introduction and use of digital technologies such as wearable devices is an opportunity to improve occupational health and safety processes and procedures, he said.

Training and raising awareness among managers and employees is also an important tool, he said. This is of particular importance in outpatient and social care, he adds. The involvement of employee representatives in occupational health and safety management is also beneficial in terms of risk reduction, the study further concludes.

Recognition of psychosocial risks in the workplace

The focus, he said, is on identifying psychosocial influencing factors in the workplace to reduce the risks of musculoskeletal disorders. It is crucial, he said, that examples of good practice addressing the problems of the respective sectors are made available, ideally in several languages, for all European countries.

It is also crucial to acknowledge the psychosocial risks in the workplace, he said, as there were many cases of illness and death, especially during the pandemic, in acute care facilities such as hospitals, and nurses, for example, are still suffering from post-traumatic stress.

Source: EU-OSHA