The COVID‑19 pandemic fundamentally reshaped work, occupational safety and health (OSH), and organisational decision‑making across Europe. What worked well? What did not? And—crucially—what should we do differently when the next large‑scale crisis occurs?
In this webinar, PEROSH presents the main findings of a joint research project examining national responses to the pandemic, with a particular focus on work, prevention, and preparedness. Researchers from several European countries analysed challenges, effective practices, and gaps in existing systems, drawing lessons that extend beyond pandemics to other types of crises, such as environmental disasters or major infrastructure disruptions.
Rather than a series of country presentations, the webinar is designed as an interactive exchange. After a concise overview of the project and its key cross‑cutting findings, a moderated panel discussion will bring together contributors to the country reports to reflect on shared experiences and identify actionable lessons for policy, research, and practice.
What will be discussed?
Topics in the panel discussion include:
- Preparedness and resilience of OSH systems
- Remote work, flexibility, and organisational adaptation
- Communication, trust, and worker involvement
- What proved effective—and what should be improved next time
- How lessons from the pandemic can inform preparedness for other crises
Participants will be able to engage with speakers via the Q&A and chat functions.
Programme overview
- Welcome and introduction – Jan Michiel Meeuwsen (PEROSH), moderator
- The PEROSH pandemic project: scope, approach and main findings – Robert Ljung (SAWE)
- Panel discussion: Lessons learned from the pandemic
Panel members representing country reports (including the UK, Poland, Austria, France, Germany)
- Questions & discussion with the audience
- Conclusions and closing remarks – Robert Ljung (SAWE) & Jan Michiel Meeuwsen (PEROSH)
Practical information
- Date: 27 April 2026
- Time: 14:00 – 15:00 (CET)
- Format: Online webinar (Microsoft Teams)
- Webinar video here