Background
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly strained workplace environments worldwide. The Partnership for European Research in Occupational Safety and Health (PEROSH) is assembling an inventory of what happened in their respective countries during this turbulent period. The lessons learned will contribute to a broader European summary coordinated by PEROSH, aiming to enhance future preparedness.
Objectives
The report seeks to:
- Analyze the actions taken by European authorities to manage workplace challenges during the pandemic.
- Assess changes in the work environment across social, physical, and organizational levels.
- Provide actionable insights to guide responses to future pandemics.
Target Groups
The primary beneficiaries of this report are:
- Policy Makers: To inform future policies on crisis management in workplaces.
- Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Professionals: To enhance strategies for maintaining safe work environments during crises.
- Employers and Workers: To understand the implications of pandemic responses on employment and workplace conditions.
- European Research Bodies: Particularly PEROSH, to compile and compare international experiences.
Deliverables
The following outputs will be produced:
- A comprehensive report on European workplace response to the COVID-19 pandemic, integrating lessons from across member states.
- Articles and presentations summarizing the findings for dissemination in both national and international forums.
Research Methods
The research will involve:
- Literature Review: Analyzing existing studies and reports on pandemic response.
- Interviews: Conducting structured interviews with key stakeholders, including governmental agency representatives involved in pandemic management.
Scientific Relevance
This research is critical as it provides a detailed analysis of a real-world crisis, offering insights into the efficacy of various workplace strategies during a pandemic. It also identifies gaps in previous research, contributing to a more robust understanding of crisis management in occupational safety.
Practical and Societal Relevance
The findings will guide practical measures for improving workplace resilience in future health crises. The report will be particularly useful for policy makers and OSH professionals across Europe, fostering a more coordinated and informed response to similar events.
Project Leader
Robert Ljung, Swedish Agency for Work Environment Expertise (SAWEE)
Email: Robert.Ljung@mynak.se
Project Participants
- AUVA – Austria
- BAuA – Germany
- CIOP-PB – Poland
- HSE – United Kingdom
- INRS – France
- TNO – Netherlands
- INAIL – Italy