What did the COVID-19 pandemic teach us about occupational safety and health, crisis governance, and preparedness for future emergencies? These questions were at the heart of the PEROSH webinar Webinar: Lessons learned from the pandemic, where researchers and experts from across Europe reflected on experiences, evidence and long-term implications for work and workers.
Based on the PEROSH project Lessons Learned from the Pandemic, the webinar brought together perspectives from seven European countries. Speakers highlighted how OSH systems showed both resilience and vulnerability, how workplaces adapted rapidly under pressure, and why the role of occupational safety and health proved crucial in infection control, risk assessment and communication during the crisis.
The discussion went beyond a look back. Panelists explored lasting changes triggered by the pandemic, such as the structural shift towards remote and hybrid work, new attention to ventilation and indoor air quality, and growing concerns about psychosocial risks and work–life boundaries. Several contributions underlined the need for trustworthy, evidence-based communication and active worker involvement as key conditions for effective crisis response.
A recurring message was that preparedness does not start in a crisis. Strong, well-embedded OSH systems, good quality data, and continuous risk assessment were identified as essential foundations for protecting workers and ensuring business continuity in future health emergencies and other large-scale disruptions.
📺 Watch the webinar recording
If you missed the live session or would like to revisit the discussion, the full webinar recording is now available. We invite you to watch, share, and reflect on the lessons that continue to shape policy, practice and research in occupational safety and health.
