Polish occupational health and safety (OHS) professionals are increasingly expected to combine traditional safety duties with environmental protection skills, according to a new study published in Nature.

The research analysed the evolving requirements of the labour market for OHS service employees in Poland, with a particular focus on competencies in environmental protection and sustainable development.

The study used a combination of literature review, job offer analysis, and an anonymous survey of 428 OHS employees across 18 industries, including mining, construction, and manufacturing.

Researchers found a clear disconnect between employer expectations and the tasks actually performed by OHS professionals. While strategic EU frameworks, such as the 2021–2027 OSH Strategic Framework and the European Green Deal, emphasise integrating health and safety with environmental and sustainability goals, Polish OHS employees reported only occasional engagement with environmental tasks.

Survey results revealed that over 71% of respondents did not handle waste management duties, and more than 73% considered their positions too responsible to combine with environmental protection work. Even in mining, where safety risks are particularly high, fewer than 27% of employees reported involvement in environmental reporting or compliance. Responses indicated that additional responsibilities, including fire protection, administration, and occupational medicine, were often assigned without adjusting workloads.

The research highlights a generational and organisational gap: employees with less than a year of experience were more open to combining OHS and environmental duties, while acceptance declined with seniority. Smaller workplaces also showed slightly higher willingness to integrate these responsibilities.

Based on these findings, the authors recommend expanding environmental education and training for OHS professionals, raising awareness of sustainable development across all employees, and introducing clearer legal frameworks defining the scope of combined OHS and environmental duties. They argue that aligning occupational safety with environmental protection is crucial not only for regulatory compliance but also for improving worker well-being and organisational sustainability.

The study represents the first empirical analysis of OHS and environmental competency integration in Poland, filling a research gap and providing a foundation for future legislative and policy developments. Researchers suggest extending comparative studies across EU countries to better understand the international scope of these challenges and to inform strategies for combining occupational safety and environmental responsibilities effectively.

Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have reaffirmed their close strategic partnership following the fourth meeting of the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council, co-chaired by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa in Manama.

The meeting was held in line with the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, underscoring the long-standing political, economic and social ties between the two neighbouring countries. Senior officials and heads of joint committees from both sides attended the session.

At the start of the meeting, Prince Salman bin Hamad welcomed the Saudi Crown Prince, highlighting the strength of bilateral relations and the deep bonds between the two leaderships and peoples. Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed his pleasure at visiting Bahrain and meeting with King Hamad and the Bahraini Crown Prince, stressing King Salman’s continued support for strengthening cooperation and expanding joint action across a wide range of sectors.

The meeting was marked by the signing of a series of agreements and memoranda of understanding aimed at deepening collaboration in key strategic areas. These included an MoU on nuclear safety and radiation protection between Saudi Arabia’s Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission and Bahrain’s Supreme Council for Environment, as well as a cooperation programme between the two countries’ diplomatic studies institutes.

Economic cooperation featured prominently, with agreements signed on the avoidance of double taxation, the promotion and protection of competition, sustainable development cooperation, and the promotion of direct investment. Additional MoUs were concluded covering rail transport cooperation, higher education partnerships between King Saud University and the University of Bahrain, and collaboration in developing the non-profit sector.

Together, the agreements reflect a broad and integrated approach to bilateral cooperation, spanning energy, environment, education, transport, investment, diplomacy and social development. They also align with both countries’ national development priorities and long-term economic diversification strategies.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman thanked Prince Salman bin Hamad for the warm reception and the effective organisation of the council session, praising the constructive outcomes achieved. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the distinguished Saudi-Bahraini partnership and expressed their shared aspirations for continued security, stability and prosperity.

The two leaderships also extended their appreciation to committee members, the Executive Committee, the General Secretariat and working groups for their efforts in supporting the council’s work. It was agreed that the fifth meeting of the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council will be held in Saudi Arabia, with the date to be determined by the council’s general secretariat.

The U.S. Department of Labor has unveiled a federal initiative aimed at expanding registered apprenticeship programs in advanced manufacturing, with the goal of enhancing workforce training and promoting safer job performance in high-risk industrial sectors, according to Occupational Health & Safety.

The programme, administered through the department’s Employment and Training Administration, encourages employers to create and expand apprenticeship pathways that prepare workers for skilled manufacturing roles.

These roles often involve operating complex machinery, handling hazardous materials, and performing safety-sensitive tasks, where comprehensive training is critical to preventing workplace injuries and illnesses.

Labor officials said the initiative will prioritise structured, competency-based training combining paid on-the-job learning with classroom instruction. Core elements of these apprenticeship programs include safety fundamentals, hazard recognition, and regulatory awareness, ensuring workers are prepared before undertaking high-risk tasks.

“From an occupational health and safety perspective, expanded apprenticeship opportunities can help reduce workplace incidents by providing employees with consistent, standardised training,” the publication noted.

Manufacturing is considered one of the nation’s more hazardous industries, and safety advocates have long highlighted gaps in training as a key contributor to accidents and near misses.

The department also highlighted that the initiative aims to strengthen the talent pipeline for manufacturers while fostering safer and more resilient workplaces. Employers participating in the program are encouraged to align training with industry standards and evolving safety requirements, ensuring workers remain equipped to meet the demands of modern manufacturing environments.

Officials described the initiative as part of a broader strategy to invest in workforce development while reinforcing protections for employees entering demanding industrial settings. By combining skills development with safety-focused education, the program is expected to support both operational efficiency and a culture of workplace safety across the manufacturing sector.