Press releases Back to press releases Hold on for press release until 27/11/2025 - 08:00 Thu, 27/11/2025 - 02:00 Home care workers in the EU: new EU-OSHA report reveals important safety and health concerns A new report from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) sheds light on the often overlooked risks faced by Europe’s home care workforce, a growing but frequently neglected part of Europe’s health and social care system. The report highlights the most common occupational safety and health (OSH) risks and outcomes, along with strategies for management and prevention. Home care: An essential but precarious sector Home care allows millions of people across Europe to live independently in their own homes while receiving support due to age or disability. However, the very nature of this work, carried out in private homes, often without direct supervision and under highly variable conditions, exposes workers to significant safety and health risks, and poor working conditions. Among the lowest-paid occupations in the EU, home care is also highly demanding, both physically and psychosocially. Common health problems include musculoskeletal disorders linked to lifting and awkward postures, mental health-related issues such as stress, isolation and emotional strain, and exposure to physical, biological and chemical hazards. These can lead to slips and falls, as well as exposure to infectious diseases and dangerous substances such as disinfectants or medication.  Persistent staff shortages  means the sector relies a great deal on migrant workers, who face additional vulnerabilities linked to their migration and employment status. EU-OSHA’s new report, carried out under the ‘Health and social care and OSH’ research project, underlines the urgent need for improved risk assessment and prevention strategies tailored to home care settings. It also emphasises the importance of involving home care workers in developing and implementing preventive measures.   ‘Home care workers are the invisible backbone of our care systems. They support our most vulnerable citizens, yet they often do so under precarious working conditions. This report shows that with the right preventive strategies and initiatives, we can make home care work safer and healthier.’ William Cockburn, EU-OSHA’s Executive Director   Solutions in practice: Case studies and policy pointers The report is accompanied by six case studies demonstrating how OSH challenges in home care are being addressed across the European Union. Barcelona Social Superblocks (Spain): Reorganises home care services by neighbourhood, improving working conditions through self-organised teams, while highlighting the need for individualised approaches. KoBrA initiative (Germany): Shows the importance of strong stakeholder collaboration, adequate funding and the use of digital tools. Siun Sote’s ergonomics model (Finland): Tackles musculoskeletal disorders among care staff through proactive prevention and training. ProCare project (six EU Member States): Implements innovative measures to prevent and manage long-term carers’ burnout and enhance caregiving skills. Carers, Cared programme (France): Improves quality of care and life for both caregivers and care recipients. EBINCOLF (Italy): A training and certification agency that promotes professional standards and safer workplaces for care workers.   In addition, a policy brief offers recommendations to address current challenges in home care. These include professionalising and formalising the sector, improving equipment and ergonomics, developing sector-specific tools and expanding research on the growing diversity of workers, including better OSH for domestic care workers directly employed by households. Access the full report or summary “Home care workers – a comprehensive overview of occupational safety and health risks” Take a look at related publications: Work-related psychosocial risks and mental health outcomes in the EU health and social care sector Accidents at work in the Health and Social Care sector Musculoskeletal health and risk factors in the HeSCare sector OSH in figures in the health and social care sector   Notes to editor: The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) contributes to making Europe a safer, healthier and more productive place to work. The Agency researches, develops, and distributes reliable, balanced, and impartial safety and health information and organises pan-European awareness raising campaigns. Set up by the European Union in 1994 and based in Bilbao, Spain, the Agency brings together representatives from the European Commission, Member State governments, employers’ and workers’ organisations, as well as leading experts in each of the EU Member States and beyond. Now you can follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, YouTube or subscribe to our monthly newsletter OSHmail. You can also register for regular news and information from EU-OSHA via RSS feeds. https://osha.europa.eu Published No

Press releases Back to press releases Hold on for press release until 03/12/2025 - 14:00 For immediate release - 03/12/2025 - 14:00 Wed, 03/12/2025 - 14:00 Digital transformation and worker wellbeing take centre stage at the Healthy Workplaces Summit 2025 Today, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) kicks off the Healthy Workplaces Summit 2025, taking place at the Euskalduna Conference Centre in Bilbao, Spain. The two-day event (3─4 December) marks the culmination of the 2023-25 campaign ‘Safe and healthy work in the digital age.’ It brings together over 400 occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals, policymakers, social partners, and EU-OSHA’s Focal Point network to explore how digital technologies are reshaping workplaces across Europe. Discussions at the Summit focus on how artificial intelligence, automation, digital platforms and data-driven systems are transforming the nature of work. Through high-level debates, virtual reality simulators, and six parallel sessions, participants will explore topics such as: digital risk assessment, algorithmic management, skills development, and the use of digital tools for prevention and worker participation.   Voices from Europe Opening remarks feature high-level representatives from the Basque Government, the Spanish Ministry of Labour and Social Economy, and the European Parliament. Reflecting the European Union’s strong political commitment to protecting workers in the digital transition, Maria-Luisa Cabral, Director for Quality Jobs, Working Conditions and Social Dialogue, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission, joins the event to address participants at the Healthy Workplaces Good Practice Awards ceremony on the second day. Ms Cabral emphasises that Europe’s digital transformation must go hand in hand with social justice and quality employment: “Quality jobs and strong social dialogue are essential for a resilient Europe. Every worker must benefit from the digital transformation.”   “The Summit is not a closing chapter but the start of a new phase of cooperation. Our partners across Europe have shown remarkable commitment, translating campaign messages into real improvements in workplaces. We must build on this momentum so that occupational safety and health remain a central piece in Europe’s digital transition.” William Cockburn, EU-OSHA’s Executive Director   Celebrating OSH excellence: Good Practice Awards 2025 A key moment of the Summit is the Healthy Workplaces Good Practice Awards ceremony, honouring innovative and sustainable approaches to managing OSH in the digital age. The initiatives demonstrate how technologies such as AI, wearable devices and smart systems can support prevention and protect workers when applied responsibly. Explore all the 2023-25 Good Practice Awards cases.   Towards a safe and fair digital future As Europe continues its digital and green transitions, the Summit underscores the need for cooperation among institutions, governments, employers, workers and researchers to ensure that innovation and wellbeing go hand in hand. The outcomes of the Summit will help shape the next phase of EU-OSHA’s work and reaffirm the Agency’s role in promoting evidence-based approaches to new forms of work, particularly as it prepares for the next campaign “Together for mental health at work”, launching in October 2026.   Follow the Healthy Workplaces Summit 2025 live online and join the conversation on social media using #EUOSHASummit and #EUhealthyworkplaces. Notes to editor: About the Healthy Workplaces Campaigns The Healthy Workplaces Campaigns are at the heart of EU-OSHA’s mission towards safer and healthier workplaces across Europe. They are one of the agency’s flagship awareness-raising activity, delivering a central message: Safety and health at work is everyone's concern. It's good for you. It's good for business. Running since 2000, the campaigns have now become the largest of their kind in the world. A wealth of information and resources in the form of practical guides and tools are made available to any organisation or company looking at improving safety and health in their workplaces. The campaigns feature key milestones, including the Good Practice Awards and the Healthy Workplaces Film Award recognising and celebrating exceptional contributions in promoting OSH, as well as the European Weeks for Safety and Health at Work, taking place each October. Previous editions focused on preventing and managing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), managing dangerous substances and promoting healthy workplaces for all ages.  The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) contributes to making Europe a safer, healthier and more productive place to work. The Agency researches, develops, and distributes reliable, balanced, and impartial safety and health information and organises pan-European awareness raising campaigns. Set up by the European Union in 1994 and based in Bilbao, Spain, the Agency brings together representatives from the European Commission, Member State governments, employers’ and workers’ organisations, as well as leading experts in each of the EU Member States and beyond. Now you can follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, YouTube or subscribe to our monthly newsletter OSHmail. You can also register for regular news and information from EU-OSHA via RSS feeds. https://osha.europa.eu Published No

Press releases Back to press releases Hold on for press release until 27/11/2025 - 08:00 Thu, 27/11/2025 - 02:00 Home care workers in the EU: new EU-OSHA report reveals important safety and health concerns A new report from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) sheds light on the often overlooked risks faced by Europe’s home care workforce, a growing but frequently neglected part of Europe’s health and social care system. The report highlights the most common occupational safety and health (OSH) risks and outcomes, along with strategies for management and prevention. Home care: An essential but precarious sector Home care allows millions of people across Europe to live independently in their own homes while receiving support due to age or disability. However, the very nature of this work, carried out in private homes, often without direct supervision and under highly variable conditions, exposes workers to significant safety and health risks, and poor working conditions. Among the lowest-paid occupations in the EU, home care is also highly demanding, both physically and psychosocially. Common health problems include musculoskeletal disorders linked to lifting and awkward postures, mental health-related issues such as stress, isolation and emotional strain, and exposure to physical, biological and chemical hazards. These can lead to slips and falls, as well as exposure to infectious diseases and dangerous substances such as disinfectants or medication.  Persistent staff shortages  means the sector relies a great deal on migrant workers, who face additional vulnerabilities linked to their migration and employment status. EU-OSHA’s new report, carried out under the ‘Health and social care and OSH’ research project, underlines the urgent need for improved risk assessment and prevention strategies tailored to home care settings. It also emphasises the importance of involving home care workers in developing and implementing preventive measures.   ‘Home care workers are the invisible backbone of our care systems. They support our most vulnerable citizens, yet they often do so under precarious working conditions. This report shows that with the right preventive strategies and initiatives, we can make home care work safer and healthier.’ William Cockburn, EU-OSHA’s Executive Director   Solutions in practice: Case studies and policy pointers The report is accompanied by six case studies demonstrating how OSH challenges in home care are being addressed across the European Union. Barcelona Social Superblocks (Spain): Reorganises home care services by neighbourhood, improving working conditions through self-organised teams, while highlighting the need for individualised approaches. KoBrA initiative (Germany): Shows the importance of strong stakeholder collaboration, adequate funding and the use of digital tools. Siun Sote’s ergonomics model (Finland): Tackles musculoskeletal disorders among care staff through proactive prevention and training. ProCare project (six EU Member States): Implements innovative measures to prevent and manage long-term carers’ burnout and enhance caregiving skills. Carers, Cared programme (France): Improves quality of care and life for both caregivers and care recipients. EBINCOLF (Italy): A training and certification agency that promotes professional standards and safer workplaces for care workers.   In addition, a policy brief offers recommendations to address current challenges in home care. These include professionalising and formalising the sector, improving equipment and ergonomics, developing sector-specific tools and expanding research on the growing diversity of workers, including better OSH for domestic care workers directly employed by households. Access the full report or summary “Home care workers – a comprehensive overview of occupational safety and health risks” Take a look at related publications: Work-related psychosocial risks and mental health outcomes in the EU health and social care sector Accidents at work in the Health and Social Care sector Musculoskeletal health and risk factors in the HeSCare sector OSH in figures in the health and social care sector   Notes to editor: The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) contributes to making Europe a safer, healthier and more productive place to work. The Agency researches, develops, and distributes reliable, balanced, and impartial safety and health information and organises pan-European awareness raising campaigns. Set up by the European Union in 1994 and based in Bilbao, Spain, the Agency brings together representatives from the European Commission, Member State governments, employers’ and workers’ organisations, as well as leading experts in each of the EU Member States and beyond. Now you can follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, YouTube or subscribe to our monthly newsletter OSHmail. You can also register for regular news and information from EU-OSHA via RSS feeds. https://osha.europa.eu Published No

25/11/2025 France rolls out new OiRA tool for safer institutional catering Image © Kadmy - stock.adobe.com Assessing and preventing occupational risks in the institutional catering sector in France has just got easier thanks to a new OiRA tool. Enterprises delivering food services to schools, and other institutions can use it to carry out targeted risk assessments and put lasting measures in place to protect their staff. French companies now have access to 49 OiRA tools that support safety and health across a wide range of sectors. Access the institutional catering OiRA tool for France Find out why thousands of businesses in Europe use OiRA tools to improve workplace safety Migrate to OiRA On

03/12/2025 Healthy Workplaces Summit 2025: Driving a safer digital future through human-centred innovation Image © EU-OSHA - morenoesquibel EU-OSHA kicks off the Healthy Workplaces Summit 2025 in Bilbao, bringing together over 400 occupational safety and health professionals, policymakers, social partners, and EU-OSHA’s Focal Point network to explore how digitalisation is transforming work. Across two days of debates, expert sessions, and virtual reality experiences, participants examine the impact of AI, automation and data-driven systems on the safety and health of Europe’s workers. Speakers stress that digital progress must stay human-centred and fair. The Summit also showcases the Good Practice Awards, celebrating standout initiatives that use technology responsibly to boost safety, health and wellbeing. Read the press release Follow the Summit programme live Show in HWC - GP Awards HWC - Press Room Migrate to OiRA Off

24/11/2025 Have your say: Survey on exposure to dangerous substances at work Image © SpaceOak - stock.adobe.com The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion is conducting a survey on risks related to dangerous substances in the workplace. The survey includes several questionnaires and aims to assess the impact of introducing new occupational exposure limits for seven substances, as a possible amendment to Directive 2004/37/EC on the protection of workers from exposure to carcinogens, mutagens, or reprotoxic substances. Your input is essential to help assess and shape any potential legislative proposal, which may ultimately affect your business or institutional environment. Deadline to participate: 19 December 2025 Access the survey Show in Corporate Migrate to OiRA Off

Press releases Back to press releases Hold on for press release until 03/12/2025 - 14:00 For immediate release - 03/12/2025 - 14:00 Wed, 03/12/2025 - 14:00 Digital transformation and worker wellbeing take centre stage at the Healthy Workplaces Summit 2025 Today, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) kicks off the Healthy Workplaces Summit 2025, taking place at the Euskalduna Conference Centre in Bilbao, Spain. The two-day event (3─4 December) marks the culmination of the 2023-25 campaign ‘Safe and healthy work in the digital age.’ It brings together over 400 occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals, policymakers, social partners, and EU-OSHA’s Focal Point network to explore how digital technologies are reshaping workplaces across Europe. Discussions at the Summit focus on how artificial intelligence, automation, digital platforms and data-driven systems are transforming the nature of work. Through high-level debates, virtual reality simulators, and six parallel sessions, participants will explore topics such as: digital risk assessment, algorithmic management, skills development, and the use of digital tools for prevention and worker participation.   Voices from Europe Opening remarks feature high-level representatives from the Basque Government, the Spanish Ministry of Labour and Social Economy, and the European Parliament. Reflecting the European Union’s strong political commitment to protecting workers in the digital transition, Maria-Luisa Cabral, Director for Quality Jobs, Working Conditions and Social Dialogue, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission, joins the event to address participants at the Healthy Workplaces Good Practice Awards ceremony on the second day. Ms Cabral emphasises that Europe’s digital transformation must go hand in hand with social justice and quality employment: “Quality jobs and strong social dialogue are essential for a resilient Europe. Every worker must benefit from the digital transformation.”   “The Summit is not a closing chapter but the start of a new phase of cooperation. Our partners across Europe have shown remarkable commitment, translating campaign messages into real improvements in workplaces. We must build on this momentum so that occupational safety and health remain a central piece in Europe’s digital transition.” William Cockburn, EU-OSHA’s Executive Director   Celebrating OSH excellence: Good Practice Awards 2025 A key moment of the Summit is the Healthy Workplaces Good Practice Awards ceremony, honouring innovative and sustainable approaches to managing OSH in the digital age. The initiatives demonstrate how technologies such as AI, wearable devices and smart systems can support prevention and protect workers when applied responsibly. Explore all the 2023-25 Good Practice Awards cases.   Towards a safe and fair digital future As Europe continues its digital and green transitions, the Summit underscores the need for cooperation among institutions, governments, employers, workers and researchers to ensure that innovation and wellbeing go hand in hand. The outcomes of the Summit will help shape the next phase of EU-OSHA’s work and reaffirm the Agency’s role in promoting evidence-based approaches to new forms of work, particularly as it prepares for the next campaign “Together for mental health at work”, launching in October 2026.   Follow the Healthy Workplaces Summit 2025 live online and join the conversation on social media using #EUOSHASummit and #EUhealthyworkplaces. Notes to editor: About the Healthy Workplaces Campaigns The Healthy Workplaces Campaigns are at the heart of EU-OSHA’s mission towards safer and healthier workplaces across Europe. They are one of the agency’s flagship awareness-raising activity, delivering a central message: Safety and health at work is everyone's concern. It's good for you. It's good for business. Running since 2000, the campaigns have now become the largest of their kind in the world. A wealth of information and resources in the form of practical guides and tools are made available to any organisation or company looking at improving safety and health in their workplaces. The campaigns feature key milestones, including the Good Practice Awards and the Healthy Workplaces Film Award recognising and celebrating exceptional contributions in promoting OSH, as well as the European Weeks for Safety and Health at Work, taking place each October. Previous editions focused on preventing and managing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), managing dangerous substances and promoting healthy workplaces for all ages.  The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) contributes to making Europe a safer, healthier and more productive place to work. The Agency researches, develops, and distributes reliable, balanced, and impartial safety and health information and organises pan-European awareness raising campaigns. Set up by the European Union in 1994 and based in Bilbao, Spain, the Agency brings together representatives from the European Commission, Member State governments, employers’ and workers’ organisations, as well as leading experts in each of the EU Member States and beyond. Now you can follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, YouTube or subscribe to our monthly newsletter OSHmail. You can also register for regular news and information from EU-OSHA via RSS feeds. https://osha.europa.eu Published No

Press releases Back to press releases Hold on for press release until 27/11/2025 - 08:00 Thu, 27/11/2025 - 02:00 Home care workers in the EU: new EU-OSHA report reveals important safety and health concerns A new report from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) sheds light on the often overlooked risks faced by Europe’s home care workforce, a growing but frequently neglected part of Europe’s health and social care system. The report highlights the most common occupational safety and health (OSH) risks and outcomes, along with strategies for management and prevention. Home care: An essential but precarious sector Home care allows millions of people across Europe to live independently in their own homes while receiving support due to age or disability. However, the very nature of this work, carried out in private homes, often without direct supervision and under highly variable conditions, exposes workers to significant safety and health risks, and poor working conditions. Among the lowest-paid occupations in the EU, home care is also highly demanding, both physically and psychosocially. Common health problems include musculoskeletal disorders linked to lifting and awkward postures, mental health-related issues such as stress, isolation and emotional strain, and exposure to physical, biological and chemical hazards. These can lead to slips and falls, as well as exposure to infectious diseases and dangerous substances such as disinfectants or medication.  Persistent staff shortages  means the sector relies a great deal on migrant workers, who face additional vulnerabilities linked to their migration and employment status. EU-OSHA’s new report, carried out under the ‘Health and social care and OSH’ research project, underlines the urgent need for improved risk assessment and prevention strategies tailored to home care settings. It also emphasises the importance of involving home care workers in developing and implementing preventive measures.   ‘Home care workers are the invisible backbone of our care systems. They support our most vulnerable citizens, yet they often do so under precarious working conditions. This report shows that with the right preventive strategies and initiatives, we can make home care work safer and healthier.’ William Cockburn, EU-OSHA’s Executive Director   Solutions in practice: Case studies and policy pointers The report is accompanied by six case studies demonstrating how OSH challenges in home care are being addressed across the European Union. Barcelona Social Superblocks (Spain): Reorganises home care services by neighbourhood, improving working conditions through self-organised teams, while highlighting the need for individualised approaches. KoBrA initiative (Germany): Shows the importance of strong stakeholder collaboration, adequate funding and the use of digital tools. Siun Sote’s ergonomics model (Finland): Tackles musculoskeletal disorders among care staff through proactive prevention and training. ProCare project (six EU Member States): Implements innovative measures to prevent and manage long-term carers’ burnout and enhance caregiving skills. Carers, Cared programme (France): Improves quality of care and life for both caregivers and care recipients. EBINCOLF (Italy): A training and certification agency that promotes professional standards and safer workplaces for care workers.   In addition, a policy brief offers recommendations to address current challenges in home care. These include professionalising and formalising the sector, improving equipment and ergonomics, developing sector-specific tools and expanding research on the growing diversity of workers, including better OSH for domestic care workers directly employed by households. Access the full report or summary “Home care workers – a comprehensive overview of occupational safety and health risks” Take a look at related publications: Work-related psychosocial risks and mental health outcomes in the EU health and social care sector Accidents at work in the Health and Social Care sector Musculoskeletal health and risk factors in the HeSCare sector OSH in figures in the health and social care sector   Notes to editor: The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) contributes to making Europe a safer, healthier and more productive place to work. The Agency researches, develops, and distributes reliable, balanced, and impartial safety and health information and organises pan-European awareness raising campaigns. Set up by the European Union in 1994 and based in Bilbao, Spain, the Agency brings together representatives from the European Commission, Member State governments, employers’ and workers’ organisations, as well as leading experts in each of the EU Member States and beyond. Now you can follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, YouTube or subscribe to our monthly newsletter OSHmail. You can also register for regular news and information from EU-OSHA via RSS feeds. https://osha.europa.eu Published No

Why Human Error Persists in Food Manufacturing? Human error is a thorn in the flesh of non-conformities and recalls, and although HACCP and GFSI standards are the focus of decades of attention, these standards do not yet mitigate the impact of human error. There are three types of errors:Skill-based errors: slips or lapses in routine hygiene practices. Example: forgetting a handwashing step before entering production.Rule based errors: wrong understanding of SOPs including use of incorrect cleaning agent during a line changeover.Errors based on knowledge: bad decisions in times of crisis, e.g. publishing a lot without full checking.The peculiar vulnerability of food plants is due to the cognitive overload experienced by operators dozens of checks, maintenance of records by hand, and time constraints caused by production goals. Paper-based SOPs only make it harder. They are also unchanging, difficult to follow, and they do not offer real-time accountability. The variability is particularly hazardous in high risk sectors such as allergen control, sanitation check or CCP. In such instances, being slightly off the mark is disastrously wrong. The Concept of Digital Standard Work The Standard Operating Procedures have become digitalized and contain interactive workflows to guarantee that no variability or compliance can occur at all. The operators have to interact with:Visual instructions: Photos or videos of correct procedures.Step sequencing: Operators are not allowed to jump over the stages or do them in any sequence.Automated logging: Timed records to establish compliance.Validation prompts: The ranges, reminders or forced entries do not allow the wrong entries.Real-time escalation: Supervisors are notified in case deviations or omission of steps have taken place.This is not the case of substituting operators with technology. It has to do with making the system so strong that doing it right is the only way of doing it. Clarity and support are offered to the operators and defensible compliance proof is provided to the supervisors and auditors. Case Areas Where Digital Standard Work Reduces Variability Allergen Changeovers One of the most typical and most expensive in the industry is allergen recalls. Changeovers are very stressful circumstances when time and accuracy collide.Common mistake: There is a failure to clean a surface thoroughly, or to check it in a hurry.Digital solution: The workflow step-by-step with the obligatory verification of photos prior to the resumption of the line. Without having to rely on trust only, supervisors are informed when evidence is missing.Sanitation Verification The performance of cleaning can be extremely different across the shifts. Late or incomplete entries are usually concealed in paper logs.Common mistake: Lost swab points, unsteady concentrations of the chemicals, or filling post-shift records.Digital solution: Operators are guided by mobile checklists, which are related to the equipment ID. The logo of the swab is registered immediately, and the deviation results in escalation. The results can be viewed live as opposed to the paper record being available to supervisors.Critical Control Point (CCP) Monitoring The compliance of HACCP relies upon proper monitoring. However manual data collecting is error prone.Common mistake: Temperatures are keyed in wrong or taken out of memory hours after the fact.Digital solution: It is impossible to save inputs that are above or below critical limits. Automatization of timestamps avoids backdating, and the IoT integration will directly access data on sensors - less manual work.Prevention of Foreign Body (Metal Detectors, Sieves)Checks are not efficient unless they are regularly conducted. A lack of time frequently causes the check to be missed, or hasty.Common mistake: Operators will be forgetting a verification test or do the test in the wrong way.Digital solution: In-built reminders to make sure that tests are taken in time. Digital sign-offs must be evidenced and until this is done, production cannot go on.Practical Guide: Implementing Digital Standard Work Shifting from paper SOPs to a digital Standard Work system is not simply a matter of uploading documents into an app. To succeed, the transition must be deliberate, phased, and built around the realities of the plant floor.  1. Start Small, Focus on High-Risk Areas Start with those processes which pose the highest risk of food safety or the ones where mistakes tend to happen most frequently. These may be the changeovers of allergens, sanitation checks, or critical control point (CCP) checks. It will help you demonstrate early wins, build confidence, and prove value shortly because you will address high-risk areas first. 2. Simplify Workflows for Clarity Many SOPs are overloaded with technical detail. Although essential, excessive complexity can make operators too complicated and cause more mistakes. In the process of digitizing, demarcation of workflow into distinct logical processes. Where possible use visuals and ensure the flow is reflected to the real flow of work on the shop floor. 3. Co-Design With Operators Frontline workers are the ones who live with SOPs every day. Without them, digital workflows are going to be resisted. Engaging operators at an early age will mean that the system is more accurate than conceptual guidelines. This partnership also contributes to the development of buy-in - individuals are in favor of what they contribute to its development. 4. Strengthen With Escalation Logic The greatest benefit of digitalization is the possibility to add safeguards. Do not merely copy paper checklists- leverage the power of digital to make the system more powerful. Examples include:Automated messages in case of check payments.Forced ranges of inputs that do not allow out of spec values.Step sequencing which will not permit operators to jump ahead.Notifications to managers when an anomaly takes place.These layers ensure compliance becomes the easiest path, not an extra burden. Pilot, Measure, and Scale An effective roll out starts with a pilot test. Select a single line, shift or a department where the digital workflows would be tested. Gather information about the reduction in errors, the frequency of deviations and audit results. Take these lessons to make improvements on the system and then scale them throughout the plant. Un-pilot scaling can lead to resistance or even a duplication of inefficiencies in more than one line.Conclusion Food safety incidents are often the result of small human errors — a skipped sanitation step, an inaccurate CCP check, or an incomplete allergen verification. While training helps, it does not eliminate variability in execution. Digital Standard Work addresses this gap by making compliance structured, auditable, and consistent across every shift. Operators gain confidence, supervisors gain visibility, and auditors gain defensible proof. More importantly, food manufacturers build a culture of reliability where safety is embedded into daily work, not just into audits. With Standard Work Pro, food companies can digitize SOPs into guided, error-proof workflows that reduce risk and strengthen compliance. It’s the step from meeting requirements to ensuring food safety excellence.

27/11/2025 Home care workers at risk: Findings from new EU-OSHA report highlight safety and health concerns Image © New Africa - stock.adobe.com A recently published EU-OSHA report Home care workers – a comprehensive overview of occupational safety and health risks examines occupational safety and health in home care, a crucial yet often neglected part of the EU’s health and social care system. It identifies risks like musculoskeletal disorders, psychosocial challenges and poor working conditions, emphasising the importance of prevention and worker participation. The report is accompanied by six case studies and a policy brief offering recommendations and solutions from across the EU, from ergonomic and self-organised approaches to regulatory reforms. Read the press release Migrate to OiRA Off

On 3 December 2025, the ENVI Committee is organising a public hearing on energy drinks and minors. This public hearing will look at the risks linked to energy drink consumption in minors, following the findings of a recent report by Foodwatch Germany. The six experts participating in this hearing will share their knowledge on the scientific evidence on the risks that energy drink consumption has on minors (Panel I) and will provide some policy perspectives on potential actions to regulate the consumption of energy drinks in minors (Panel II). Each panel discussion will be followed by a Q&A session with Members. Location : Brussels, Antall 4Q2ProgrammePosterSource : © European Union, 2025 - EP

To mark the tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement, the ENVI Committee is organising a conference that will take place on Thursday 11 December, from 13:00 to 16:00, in Brussels. It will gather actors of the Paris Agreement, including Laurent Fabius, the Chair of COP21, and stakeholders representing different interests, such as the scientific community, business and civil society. The anniversary of the Paris Agreement provides an opportunity to take stock of progress and shortcomings, both globally and from EU's point of view, after the COP30 UNFCCC meeting. The conference "From Promise to Action - 10 years of the Paris Agreement" will therefore aim to assess what has been achieved, identify gaps and reaffirm the EU's global leadership in climate action. It will include keynote speeches from high-level speakers, followed by a roundtable where Members and the audience will be able to take the floor. The registration link is available here.Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

03/12/2025 Healthy Workplaces Summit 2025: Driving a safer digital future through human-centred innovation Image © EU-OSHA - morenoesquibel EU-OSHA kicks off the Healthy Workplaces Summit 2025 in Bilbao, bringing together over 400 occupational safety and health professionals, policymakers, social partners, and EU-OSHA’s Focal Point network to explore how digitalisation is transforming work. Across two days of debates, expert sessions, and virtual reality experiences, participants examine the impact of AI, automation and data-driven systems on the safety and health of Europe’s workers. Speakers stress that digital progress must stay human-centred and fair. The Summit also showcases the Good Practice Awards, celebrating standout initiatives that use technology responsibly to boost safety, health and wellbeing. Read the press release Follow the Summit programme live Show in HWC - GP Awards HWC - Press Room Migrate to OiRA Off

Summary - Home care workers – a comprehensive overview of occupational safety and health risks 0 garciun Fri, 14/11/2025 - 09:11 27/11/2025 Reports Number of pages 6 Health and social care Musculoskeletal disorders Psychosocial risks and mental health This report reviews the main occupational safety and health risks and related health outcomes of home care workers along with the relevant strategies and interventions for risk prevention in home care settings. The research indicates that addressing OSH challenges in the home care sector requires a multifaceted approach.  Among others, the report emphasises the need for improved risk assessment procedures tailored to the home care environment. . Conclusions and policy pointers note the need for more targeted research, including on home care workers employed by households. Related resources Related resources Related publications Related publications 27/11/2025 Type: Policy briefs 5 pages How can new policies address occupational safety and health risks for home care workers? Read more 27/11/2025 Type: Case studies 5 pages The Barcelona Social Superblocks initiative – proximity home care services Read more 27/11/2025 Type: Case studies 7 pages KoBrA – a collaborative approach to improving OSH in care and nursing Read more 27/11/2025 Type: Case studies 6 pages Mitigating exposure to musculoskeletal risks – the Siun sote ergonomics model Read more 27/11/2025 Type: Case studies 6 pages A multi-country burnout prevention initiative based on mentoring and training – the case of PROCARE Read more 27/11/2025 Type: Case studies 6 pages France’s Carers, Cared programme improves quality of care and life for both caregivers and care recipients Read more 27/11/2025 Type: Case studies 7 pages Improving domestic care worker wellbeing through training and professionalisation – the case of EBINCOLF Read more home-care-workers-comprehensive-overview-osh-risks_888_summary_EN.pdf 27/11/2025 Type: Reports 115 pages Home care workers – a comprehensive overview of occupational safety and health risks Read more Migrate to HWC Off

Press releases Back to press releases Hold on for press release until 27/11/2025 - 08:00 Thu, 27/11/2025 - 02:00 Home care workers in the EU: new EU-OSHA report reveals important safety and health concerns A new report from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) sheds light on the often overlooked risks faced by Europe’s home care workforce, a growing but frequently neglected part of Europe’s health and social care system. The report highlights the most common occupational safety and health (OSH) risks and outcomes, along with strategies for management and prevention. Home care: An essential but precarious sector Home care allows millions of people across Europe to live independently in their own homes while receiving support due to age or disability. However, the very nature of this work, carried out in private homes, often without direct supervision and under highly variable conditions, exposes workers to significant safety and health risks, and poor working conditions. Among the lowest-paid occupations in the EU, home care is also highly demanding, both physically and psychosocially. Common health problems include musculoskeletal disorders linked to lifting and awkward postures, mental health-related issues such as stress, isolation and emotional strain, and exposure to physical, biological and chemical hazards. These can lead to slips and falls, as well as exposure to infectious diseases and dangerous substances such as disinfectants or medication.  Persistent staff shortages  means the sector relies a great deal on migrant workers, who face additional vulnerabilities linked to their migration and employment status. EU-OSHA’s new report, carried out under the ‘Health and social care and OSH’ research project, underlines the urgent need for improved risk assessment and prevention strategies tailored to home care settings. It also emphasises the importance of involving home care workers in developing and implementing preventive measures.   ‘Home care workers are the invisible backbone of our care systems. They support our most vulnerable citizens, yet they often do so under precarious working conditions. This report shows that with the right preventive strategies and initiatives, we can make home care work safer and healthier.’ William Cockburn, EU-OSHA’s Executive Director   Solutions in practice: Case studies and policy pointers The report is accompanied by six case studies demonstrating how OSH challenges in home care are being addressed across the European Union. Barcelona Social Superblocks (Spain): Reorganises home care services by neighbourhood, improving working conditions through self-organised teams, while highlighting the need for individualised approaches. KoBrA initiative (Germany): Shows the importance of strong stakeholder collaboration, adequate funding and the use of digital tools. Siun Sote’s ergonomics model (Finland): Tackles musculoskeletal disorders among care staff through proactive prevention and training. ProCare project (six EU Member States): Implements innovative measures to prevent and manage long-term carers’ burnout and enhance caregiving skills. Carers, Cared programme (France): Improves quality of care and life for both caregivers and care recipients. EBINCOLF (Italy): A training and certification agency that promotes professional standards and safer workplaces for care workers.   In addition, a policy brief offers recommendations to address current challenges in home care. These include professionalising and formalising the sector, improving equipment and ergonomics, developing sector-specific tools and expanding research on the growing diversity of workers, including better OSH for domestic care workers directly employed by households. Access the full report or summary “Home care workers – a comprehensive overview of occupational safety and health risks” Take a look at related publications: Work-related psychosocial risks and mental health outcomes in the EU health and social care sector Accidents at work in the Health and Social Care sector Musculoskeletal health and risk factors in the HeSCare sector OSH in figures in the health and social care sector   Notes to editor: The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) contributes to making Europe a safer, healthier and more productive place to work. The Agency researches, develops, and distributes reliable, balanced, and impartial safety and health information and organises pan-European awareness raising campaigns. Set up by the European Union in 1994 and based in Bilbao, Spain, the Agency brings together representatives from the European Commission, Member State governments, employers’ and workers’ organisations, as well as leading experts in each of the EU Member States and beyond. Now you can follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, YouTube or subscribe to our monthly newsletter OSHmail. You can also register for regular news and information from EU-OSHA via RSS feeds. https://osha.europa.eu Published No

Press releases Back to press releases Hold on for press release until 27/11/2025 - 08:00 Thu, 27/11/2025 - 02:00 Home care workers in the EU: new EU-OSHA report reveals important safety and health concerns A new report from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) sheds light on the often overlooked risks faced by Europe’s home care workforce, a growing but frequently neglected part of Europe’s health and social care system. The report highlights the most common occupational safety and health (OSH) risks and outcomes, along with strategies for management and prevention. Home care: An essential but precarious sector Home care allows millions of people across Europe to live independently in their own homes while receiving support due to age or disability. However, the very nature of this work, carried out in private homes, often without direct supervision and under highly variable conditions, exposes workers to significant safety and health risks, and poor working conditions. Among the lowest-paid occupations in the EU, home care is also highly demanding, both physically and psychosocially. Common health problems include musculoskeletal disorders linked to lifting and awkward postures, mental health-related issues such as stress, isolation and emotional strain, and exposure to physical, biological and chemical hazards. These can lead to slips and falls, as well as exposure to infectious diseases and dangerous substances such as disinfectants or medication.  Persistent staff shortages  means the sector relies a great deal on migrant workers, who face additional vulnerabilities linked to their migration and employment status. EU-OSHA’s new report, carried out under the ‘Health and social care and OSH’ research project, underlines the urgent need for improved risk assessment and prevention strategies tailored to home care settings. It also emphasises the importance of involving home care workers in developing and implementing preventive measures.   ‘Home care workers are the invisible backbone of our care systems. They support our most vulnerable citizens, yet they often do so under precarious working conditions. This report shows that with the right preventive strategies and initiatives, we can make home care work safer and healthier.’ William Cockburn, EU-OSHA’s Executive Director   Solutions in practice: Case studies and policy pointers The report is accompanied by six case studies demonstrating how OSH challenges in home care are being addressed across the European Union. Barcelona Social Superblocks (Spain): Reorganises home care services by neighbourhood, improving working conditions through self-organised teams, while highlighting the need for individualised approaches. KoBrA initiative (Germany): Shows the importance of strong stakeholder collaboration, adequate funding and the use of digital tools. Siun Sote’s ergonomics model (Finland): Tackles musculoskeletal disorders among care staff through proactive prevention and training. ProCare project (six EU Member States): Implements innovative measures to prevent and manage long-term carers’ burnout and enhance caregiving skills. Carers, Cared programme (France): Improves quality of care and life for both caregivers and care recipients. EBINCOLF (Italy): A training and certification agency that promotes professional standards and safer workplaces for care workers.   In addition, a policy brief offers recommendations to address current challenges in home care. These include professionalising and formalising the sector, improving equipment and ergonomics, developing sector-specific tools and expanding research on the growing diversity of workers, including better OSH for domestic care workers directly employed by households. Access the full report or summary “Home care workers – a comprehensive overview of occupational safety and health risks” Take a look at related publications: Work-related psychosocial risks and mental health outcomes in the EU health and social care sector Accidents at work in the Health and Social Care sector Musculoskeletal health and risk factors in the HeSCare sector OSH in figures in the health and social care sector   Notes to editor: The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) contributes to making Europe a safer, healthier and more productive place to work. The Agency researches, develops, and distributes reliable, balanced, and impartial safety and health information and organises pan-European awareness raising campaigns. Set up by the European Union in 1994 and based in Bilbao, Spain, the Agency brings together representatives from the European Commission, Member State governments, employers’ and workers’ organisations, as well as leading experts in each of the EU Member States and beyond. Now you can follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, YouTube or subscribe to our monthly newsletter OSHmail. You can also register for regular news and information from EU-OSHA via RSS feeds. https://osha.europa.eu Published No

On 11th November 2025, the Foreign Policy Centre convened a parliamentary roundtable on Georgia’s democratic crisis, examining the country’s rapid authoritarian backsliding, the resilience of civil society, and the scope for international support, particularly from the UK.   The event was chaired by Joe Powell MP and featured expert insights from: Eka Gigauri, Executive Director, ... The post Expert briefing | Georgia’s Political Landscape in Focus: A critical point for democracy appeared first on The Foreign Policy Centre.

Summary - Home care workers – a comprehensive overview of occupational safety and health risks 0 garciun Fri, 14/11/2025 - 09:11 27/11/2025 Reports Number of pages 6 Health and social care Musculoskeletal disorders Psychosocial risks and mental health This report reviews the main occupational safety and health risks and related health outcomes of home care workers along with the relevant strategies and interventions for risk prevention in home care settings. The research indicates that addressing OSH challenges in the home care sector requires a multifaceted approach.  Among others, the report emphasises the need for improved risk assessment procedures tailored to the home care environment. . Conclusions and policy pointers note the need for more targeted research, including on home care workers employed by households. Related resources Related resources Related publications Related publications 27/11/2025 Type: Policy briefs 5 pages How can new policies address occupational safety and health risks for home care workers? Read more 27/11/2025 Type: Case studies 5 pages The Barcelona Social Superblocks initiative – proximity home care services Read more 27/11/2025 Type: Case studies 7 pages KoBrA – a collaborative approach to improving OSH in care and nursing Read more 27/11/2025 Type: Case studies 6 pages Mitigating exposure to musculoskeletal risks – the Siun sote ergonomics model Read more 27/11/2025 Type: Case studies 6 pages A multi-country burnout prevention initiative based on mentoring and training – the case of PROCARE Read more 27/11/2025 Type: Case studies 6 pages France’s Carers, Cared programme improves quality of care and life for both caregivers and care recipients Read more 27/11/2025 Type: Case studies 7 pages Improving domestic care worker wellbeing through training and professionalisation – the case of EBINCOLF Read more home-care-workers-comprehensive-overview-osh-risks_888_summary_EN.pdf 27/11/2025 Type: Reports 115 pages Home care workers – a comprehensive overview of occupational safety and health risks Read more Migrate to HWC Off

On 3 December, ENVI will vote opinions on the Commission’s proposal to amend a set of product regulations and directives to introduce digitalisation measures and a new framework for common specifications. ENVI members will consider the Commission’s omnibus proposalsand. The proposal amends a series of Regulations and Directives. Notably the Batteries and Eco-Design Regulations and the Noise pollution and hazardous substances in electric equipment Directives. The aims are to digitalise product documentation and to introduce common specifications to speed-up market surveillance and compliance processes. The proposal seeks to replacing paper-based procedures with digital formats, with the objective of simplifying and harmonising requirements across the regulatory framework. The file was referred to IMCO as lead and ENVI as opinion‑giving committee. The compromise amendments put to the vote for each file expand of digital product‑information rules, preserve users' rights to paper instructions and safety data, set conditions for Commission adoption of common specifications, and add an evaluation article on implementation and impacts. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

03/12/2025 Healthy Workplaces Summit 2025: Driving a safer digital future through human-centred innovation Image © EU-OSHA - morenoesquibel EU-OSHA kicks off the Healthy Workplaces Summit 2025 in Bilbao, bringing together over 400 occupational safety and health professionals, policymakers, social partners, and EU-OSHA’s Focal Point network to explore how digitalisation is transforming work. Across two days of debates, expert sessions, and virtual reality experiences, participants examine the impact of AI, automation and data-driven systems on the safety and health of Europe’s workers. Speakers stress that digital progress must stay human-centred and fair. The Summit also showcases the Good Practice Awards, celebrating standout initiatives that use technology responsibly to boost safety, health and wellbeing. Read the press release Follow the Summit programme live Show in HWC - GP Awards HWC - Press Room Migrate to OiRA Off

Press releases Back to press releases Hold on for press release until 03/12/2025 - 14:00 For immediate release - 03/12/2025 - 14:00 Wed, 03/12/2025 - 14:00 Digital transformation and worker wellbeing take centre stage at the Healthy Workplaces Summit 2025 Today, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) kicks off the Healthy Workplaces Summit 2025, taking place at the Euskalduna Conference Centre in Bilbao, Spain. The two-day event (3─4 December) marks the culmination of the 2023-25 campaign ‘Safe and healthy work in the digital age.’ It brings together over 400 occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals, policymakers, social partners, and EU-OSHA’s Focal Point network to explore how digital technologies are reshaping workplaces across Europe. Discussions at the Summit focus on how artificial intelligence, automation, digital platforms and data-driven systems are transforming the nature of work. Through high-level debates, virtual reality simulators, and six parallel sessions, participants will explore topics such as: digital risk assessment, algorithmic management, skills development, and the use of digital tools for prevention and worker participation.   Voices from Europe Opening remarks feature high-level representatives from the Basque Government, the Spanish Ministry of Labour and Social Economy, and the European Parliament. Reflecting the European Union’s strong political commitment to protecting workers in the digital transition, Maria-Luisa Cabral, Director for Quality Jobs, Working Conditions and Social Dialogue, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission, joins the event to address participants at the Healthy Workplaces Good Practice Awards ceremony on the second day. Ms Cabral emphasises that Europe’s digital transformation must go hand in hand with social justice and quality employment: “Quality jobs and strong social dialogue are essential for a resilient Europe. Every worker must benefit from the digital transformation.”   “The Summit is not a closing chapter but the start of a new phase of cooperation. Our partners across Europe have shown remarkable commitment, translating campaign messages into real improvements in workplaces. We must build on this momentum so that occupational safety and health remain a central piece in Europe’s digital transition.” William Cockburn, EU-OSHA’s Executive Director   Celebrating OSH excellence: Good Practice Awards 2025 A key moment of the Summit is the Healthy Workplaces Good Practice Awards ceremony, honouring innovative and sustainable approaches to managing OSH in the digital age. The initiatives demonstrate how technologies such as AI, wearable devices and smart systems can support prevention and protect workers when applied responsibly. Explore all the 2023-25 Good Practice Awards cases.   Towards a safe and fair digital future As Europe continues its digital and green transitions, the Summit underscores the need for cooperation among institutions, governments, employers, workers and researchers to ensure that innovation and wellbeing go hand in hand. The outcomes of the Summit will help shape the next phase of EU-OSHA’s work and reaffirm the Agency’s role in promoting evidence-based approaches to new forms of work, particularly as it prepares for the next campaign “Together for mental health at work”, launching in October 2026.   Follow the Healthy Workplaces Summit 2025 live online and join the conversation on social media using #EUOSHASummit and #EUhealthyworkplaces. Notes to editor: About the Healthy Workplaces Campaigns The Healthy Workplaces Campaigns are at the heart of EU-OSHA’s mission towards safer and healthier workplaces across Europe. They are one of the agency’s flagship awareness-raising activity, delivering a central message: Safety and health at work is everyone's concern. It's good for you. It's good for business. Running since 2000, the campaigns have now become the largest of their kind in the world. A wealth of information and resources in the form of practical guides and tools are made available to any organisation or company looking at improving safety and health in their workplaces. The campaigns feature key milestones, including the Good Practice Awards and the Healthy Workplaces Film Award recognising and celebrating exceptional contributions in promoting OSH, as well as the European Weeks for Safety and Health at Work, taking place each October. Previous editions focused on preventing and managing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), managing dangerous substances and promoting healthy workplaces for all ages.  The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) contributes to making Europe a safer, healthier and more productive place to work. The Agency researches, develops, and distributes reliable, balanced, and impartial safety and health information and organises pan-European awareness raising campaigns. Set up by the European Union in 1994 and based in Bilbao, Spain, the Agency brings together representatives from the European Commission, Member State governments, employers’ and workers’ organisations, as well as leading experts in each of the EU Member States and beyond. Now you can follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, YouTube or subscribe to our monthly newsletter OSHmail. You can also register for regular news and information from EU-OSHA via RSS feeds. https://osha.europa.eu Published No

On 4 December, ENVI, ECON and LIBE will consider a joint draft report on the extension of certain mitigating measures available for SMEs to small mid-cap enterprises and further simplification measures. The proposal is a part of the fourth Omnibus Simplification Package adopted by the Commission on 21 May. It introduces a new category, small mid-cap enterprises (SMCs), and aims to provide targeted policy support that can help companies scale and reduce administrative burdens.The report amends two regulations that are within the remit of ENVI. It introduces a definition of SMCs with measurable thresholds and a five-year review cycle. In the Batteries Regulation, it extends SME exemptions for due diligence obligations to SMCs, streamlines reporting cycles to a five-year review period (or upon significant change) and allows companies to fulfil obligations through a single consolidated report across EU due-diligence frameworks to reduce duplication. Under the F-gas Regulation, it clarifies reporting thresholds based on CO₂-equivalence for legal precision, strengthens customs licensing provisions, and tasks the Commission with reviewing the effects of simplification on enforcement, illegal trade and circumvention risks within two years. The amendments establish a framework enabling SMCs to benefit from targeted simplification while protecting SME policy objectives, ensuring regulatory predictability, and preserving effective enforcement across Union law.Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On 3 December, ENVI Members will vote the opinion on the Commission proposal on the acceleration of permit-granting for defence readiness project, which was adopted on 17 June 2025 as part of the Defence Readiness Omnibus. The proposal aims at strengthening the EU-wide market for defence products and promoting a more integrated and competitive defence industrial base. It also introduces harmonised rules for facilitating and streamlining the permit-granting process for defence-readiness projects. For this reason, ENVI has been authorised to draw an Opinion on the proposal. On 23 September, ENVI coordinators decided to use the simplified procedure as set out in Rule 52.2 of the Rules of Procedure. 121 amendments were tabled, and following technical negotiations, 4 compromise amendments are put to vote. The compromise amendments clarify the duration and the content of the permit-granting process to ensure that the quality of the environmental assessment (when applicable) is not undermined.Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

03/12/2025 Healthy Workplaces Summit 2025: Driving a safer digital future through human-centred innovation Image © EU-OSHA - morenoesquibel EU-OSHA kicks off the Healthy Workplaces Summit 2025 in Bilbao, bringing together over 400 occupational safety and health professionals, policymakers, social partners, and EU-OSHA’s Focal Point network to explore how digitalisation is transforming work. Across two days of debates, expert sessions, and virtual reality experiences, participants examine the impact of AI, automation and data-driven systems on the safety and health of Europe’s workers. Speakers stress that digital progress must stay human-centred and fair. The Summit also showcases the Good Practice Awards, celebrating standout initiatives that use technology responsibly to boost safety, health and wellbeing. Read the press release Follow the Summit programme live Show in HWC - GP Awards HWC - Press Room Migrate to OiRA Off

Press releases Back to press releases Hold on for press release until 03/12/2025 - 14:00 For immediate release - 03/12/2025 - 14:00 Wed, 03/12/2025 - 14:00 Digital transformation and worker wellbeing take centre stage at the Healthy Workplaces Summit 2025 Today, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) kicks off the Healthy Workplaces Summit 2025, taking place at the Euskalduna Conference Centre in Bilbao, Spain. The two-day event (3─4 December) marks the culmination of the 2023-25 campaign ‘Safe and healthy work in the digital age.’ It brings together over 400 occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals, policymakers, social partners, and EU-OSHA’s Focal Point network to explore how digital technologies are reshaping workplaces across Europe. Discussions at the Summit focus on how artificial intelligence, automation, digital platforms and data-driven systems are transforming the nature of work. Through high-level debates, virtual reality simulators, and six parallel sessions, participants will explore topics such as: digital risk assessment, algorithmic management, skills development, and the use of digital tools for prevention and worker participation.   Voices from Europe Opening remarks feature high-level representatives from the Basque Government, the Spanish Ministry of Labour and Social Economy, and the European Parliament. Reflecting the European Union’s strong political commitment to protecting workers in the digital transition, Maria-Luisa Cabral, Director for Quality Jobs, Working Conditions and Social Dialogue, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission, joins the event to address participants at the Healthy Workplaces Good Practice Awards ceremony on the second day. Ms Cabral emphasises that Europe’s digital transformation must go hand in hand with social justice and quality employment: “Quality jobs and strong social dialogue are essential for a resilient Europe. Every worker must benefit from the digital transformation.”   “The Summit is not a closing chapter but the start of a new phase of cooperation. Our partners across Europe have shown remarkable commitment, translating campaign messages into real improvements in workplaces. We must build on this momentum so that occupational safety and health remain a central piece in Europe’s digital transition.” William Cockburn, EU-OSHA’s Executive Director   Celebrating OSH excellence: Good Practice Awards 2025 A key moment of the Summit is the Healthy Workplaces Good Practice Awards ceremony, honouring innovative and sustainable approaches to managing OSH in the digital age. The initiatives demonstrate how technologies such as AI, wearable devices and smart systems can support prevention and protect workers when applied responsibly. Explore all the 2023-25 Good Practice Awards cases.   Towards a safe and fair digital future As Europe continues its digital and green transitions, the Summit underscores the need for cooperation among institutions, governments, employers, workers and researchers to ensure that innovation and wellbeing go hand in hand. The outcomes of the Summit will help shape the next phase of EU-OSHA’s work and reaffirm the Agency’s role in promoting evidence-based approaches to new forms of work, particularly as it prepares for the next campaign “Together for mental health at work”, launching in October 2026.   Follow the Healthy Workplaces Summit 2025 live online and join the conversation on social media using #EUOSHASummit and #EUhealthyworkplaces. Notes to editor: About the Healthy Workplaces Campaigns The Healthy Workplaces Campaigns are at the heart of EU-OSHA’s mission towards safer and healthier workplaces across Europe. They are one of the agency’s flagship awareness-raising activity, delivering a central message: Safety and health at work is everyone's concern. It's good for you. It's good for business. Running since 2000, the campaigns have now become the largest of their kind in the world. A wealth of information and resources in the form of practical guides and tools are made available to any organisation or company looking at improving safety and health in their workplaces. The campaigns feature key milestones, including the Good Practice Awards and the Healthy Workplaces Film Award recognising and celebrating exceptional contributions in promoting OSH, as well as the European Weeks for Safety and Health at Work, taking place each October. Previous editions focused on preventing and managing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), managing dangerous substances and promoting healthy workplaces for all ages.  The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) contributes to making Europe a safer, healthier and more productive place to work. The Agency researches, develops, and distributes reliable, balanced, and impartial safety and health information and organises pan-European awareness raising campaigns. Set up by the European Union in 1994 and based in Bilbao, Spain, the Agency brings together representatives from the European Commission, Member State governments, employers’ and workers’ organisations, as well as leading experts in each of the EU Member States and beyond. Now you can follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, YouTube or subscribe to our monthly newsletter OSHmail. You can also register for regular news and information from EU-OSHA via RSS feeds. https://osha.europa.eu Published No