Industrial Insights
Industrial Insights
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Industrial Insights
- Topic: ESG, HSE
- Date: 21st May 2026
- Year: 2026
The rapid rise of artificial intelligence, automation and digital workplace tools is transforming industries at an unprecedented pace.
From predictive analytics and wearable technologies to remote collaboration platforms and robotics, organisations are increasingly relying on digitalisation to improve productivity, streamline operations and maintain competitiveness. Yet, according to a new white paper from Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), many businesses are still failing to place worker wellbeing at the centre of these transformations.
The report, titled The digital dilemma: balancing progress with worker protection, warns that while organisations are investing heavily in cyber security, AI implementation and digital skills development, the human consequences of these technologies are often overlooked. IOSH argues that digital transformation must be approached not only as a commercial or operational initiative, but also as a workplace health and safety issue.
The findings are based on research involving more than 1,000 senior business decision-makers across 22 countries. According to the report, the leading priorities for organisations over the coming year are ensuring cyber security and data protection, implementing and using AI, and improving digital capabilities among workers. However, ethical considerations and the broader health and wellbeing impacts of technology rank significantly lower on corporate agendas.
This imbalance is creating what IOSH describes as a widening gap between technological ambition and worker-centred priorities. Businesses are adopting new systems to increase efficiency and monitor productivity, but many are failing to assess how these technologies influence stress levels, mental health, job security and worker autonomy.
One of the most concerning findings relates to psychosocial risks associated with digitalisation. Hybrid and remote working environments, while offering flexibility, are also linked to growing reports of mental health concerns such as stress, anxiety and burnout. The research found that 60% of hybrid workers reported mental health issues, yet organisations continue to prioritise productivity tracking and data protection over wellbeing support.
Algorithmic management and digital surveillance also emerged as major concerns. Increasingly, businesses are using automated systems to allocate tasks, monitor worker performance and assess productivity. IOSH cautions that without transparent governance and human oversight, these technologies could undermine trust and increase workplace pressure. Employees may feel constantly monitored, while decisions made solely through algorithms risk overlooking individual circumstances and wellbeing considerations.
Technology fatigue is another issue highlighted in the report. Workers are often required to navigate multiple digital platforms, disconnected systems and continuous online communication channels. Rather than simplifying work, poorly integrated technologies can create frustration and confusion, contributing to higher levels of stress and reduced job satisfaction.
Despite these challenges, the report notes that workers are generally receptive to workplace technology. Most organisations surveyed said employees are informed about digital initiatives and encouraged to engage with new systems. However, IOSH argues that consultation alone is not enough. Businesses must ensure that health and safety considerations are embedded into every stage of technology adoption, from planning and design to implementation and ongoing monitoring.
The white paper also points to gaps in digital skills and training. Many organisations, particularly smaller businesses, struggle to keep pace with rapidly evolving technologies. Limited resources, uncertainty around best practice and a lack of industry-wide guidance are making it difficult for employers to implement digital systems safely and responsibly.
To address these issues, IOSH is calling for stronger collaboration between governments, businesses and occupational safety and health professionals. The organisation believes governments should establish clearer legislation and standards around ethical technology use, including mandatory worker impact assessments for AI systems and digital workplace tools.
The report also recommends integrating “safety-by-design” principles into technological development. This means ensuring that health, safety and wellbeing considerations are built into digital systems from the outset rather than addressed retrospectively after problems emerge. Human oversight, transparency in data usage and worker consultation are also identified as essential components of responsible digital transformation.
For businesses, the report stresses the importance of embedding occupational safety and health considerations within digital strategies. Risk assessments should not only focus on physical hazards but also address psychosocial risks linked to remote working, surveillance technologies, workload management and technology fatigue. Employers are encouraged to adopt human-in-command approaches that ensure final decisions remain under human control rather than being left entirely to automated systems.
IOSH also sees a growing role for occupational safety and health professionals in helping organisations navigate the digital transition. This includes developing expertise in technology-related risks, collaborating with IT and HR departments, and advocating for inclusive, human-centred workplace design.
Ultimately, the report argues that digitalisation should not be viewed solely as a tool for efficiency and profit. When implemented responsibly, technology also has the potential to improve worker wellbeing, enhance safety and create more sustainable workplaces. However, achieving this balance will require organisations to move beyond compliance-driven approaches and place people at the centre of innovation.
As businesses continue to accelerate digital adoption, IOSH’s message is clear: technology should serve workers, not the other way around.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Industrial Insights
- Topic: HSE
- Date: 15th May 2026
- Year: 2026
Ergodyne has introduced a new Tool Belt and Suspender system designed to improve comfort, mobility and safety for employees working at height, while also helping companies strengthen dropped-object prevention measures.
The latest system has been developed to address common issues faced by workers carrying heavy tools for extended periods, including poor weight distribution, discomfort and constant adjustments that can affect concentration and productivity on site.
According to the company, the equipment features padded and breathable materials, enhanced load distribution and patent-pending pivoting suspender attachments that move with the wearer to improve flexibility during demanding tasks.
The system also incorporates tethering points compliant with the ANSI/ISEA 121-2023 standard, supporting efforts to reduce the risk of dropped tools and equipment on elevated worksites.
Chris Reilly, Product Manager at Ergodyne, said many existing tool belt systems have not kept pace with the changing demands of modern industrial worksites.
“A lot of tool belts were not designed for the realities of today’s at-height work environments,” said Reilly. “Workers are carrying more equipment while operating under stricter safety requirements and increasing productivity pressures. We wanted to create a solution that removes as much friction as possible.”
He added that poor load distribution and uncomfortable equipment could distract workers and potentially increase the likelihood of accidents.
Industry attention on dropped-object prevention has grown significantly across sectors including industrial construction, telecommunications, aviation and wind energy. Ergodyne noted that many traditional carrying systems still lack features designed to support modern tethering standards and improve on-site safety performance.
The company said the new range aims to help employers improve operational efficiency while enhancing worker comfort and reducing safety risks associated with working at height.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Industrial Insights
- Topic: HSE
- Region: North America
- Date: 5th May 2026
- Year: 2026
Twiceme has expanded its presence in the fall protection sector through a partnership with Guardian, introducing digital safety technology into self-retracting lifelines (SRLs).
The collaboration marks the first integration of Twiceme’s connected safety platform into SRLs, which are widely used in construction and industrial environments to reduce the risk of serious injury when working at height.
SRLs automatically extend and retract in response to worker movement and are considered a critical component of fall arrest systems. Through the partnership, Guardian’s SRLs will now feature embedded digital capabilities designed to improve equipment monitoring, compliance management and emergency response.
Using a smartphone tap, workers and safety teams can access inspection records, work documentation, compliance data and Medical ID information directly from the equipment. The system is intended to help reduce information gaps while supporting quicker decision-making during emergencies.
The move strengthens Twiceme’s position within the connected safety market, where digital technologies are increasingly being used to improve visibility and operational oversight on jobsites.
According to the companies, integrating digital tools into protective equipment can also support more efficient inspection processes and simplify access to safety documentation, particularly on large or high-risk worksites.
Twiceme said the technology aims to create an additional layer of protection by combining physical fall safety systems with real-time digital information and connectivity. The partnership also reflects growing industry demand for smarter safety solutions that improve both compliance and worker protection.
By embedding digital functionality directly into essential fall protection equipment, the companies aim to support safer working environments while enabling faster response times when incidents occur.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Industrial Insights
- Topic: HSE
- Region: Europe
- Date: 4th May 2026
- Year: 2026
DNV and Equinor have introduced a new incident classification framework designed to help organisations improve how they analyse, understand and learn from operational events.
Known as Event Learning Taxonomy CLUE, the new approach aims to move companies away from traditional blame-focused reporting systems by using neutral terminology and a systems-based method for incident analysis. The framework is intended to support stronger organisational learning and improve safety, quality and operational performance across industries including construction, manufacturing, maritime and energy.
Many existing incident reporting systems rely on language that focuses heavily on individual error or failure, which can create hindsight bias and limit broader understanding of the conditions that contribute to incidents. According to DNV and Equinor, the CLUE taxonomy has been developed to encourage more balanced and constructive assessments by examining the wider operational environment rather than assigning direct blame.
The framework simplifies incident analysis by reducing the number of categories used in reporting and replacing the concept of a single “cause” with multiple “contributing factors”. This approach reflects the view that incidents often result from interconnected conditions rather than isolated mistakes.
Unlike conventional systems that primarily focus on failures, the taxonomy can also be used to capture lessons from successful operations and everyday work practices. Developers of the framework said this broader perspective can help organisations gain a more complete understanding of operational risk and resilience.
Prajeev Rasiah said effective safety improvement depends on how organisations learn from both routine activities and operational failures.
“Meaningful safety improvement depends on how well organisations learn, not just from failures but from everyday work,” he said. “Event Learning Taxonomy CLUE helps organisations move beyond blame and focus on understanding the conditions that influence performance. That shift enables better decisions, stronger learning, and more resilient operations.”
The framework draws on principles from Human and Organisational Performance (HOP) and Safety-II methodologies, both of which emphasise understanding workplace systems, context and operational variability.
Per Henry Gonsholt said the initiative would support improved organisational learning and more effective safety management.
“For better learning, we need to tell better stories,” he said. “CLUE not only modernises incident analysis but also simplifies it. This will help us get better data, and ultimately better insight into areas that need improvement.”
DNV and Equinor said the initiative is intended to help organisations strengthen operational resilience by encouraging more system-focused learning and reducing reliance on blame-centred incident models.
- Details
- madhurima sengupta
- Industrial Insights
- Topic: Training
- Region: Middle East
- Date: 1st May 2026
- Year: 2026
Safestart, in association with Offshore Network, is set to initiate multiple tours to introduce its safety programme globally, starting with Manila in Philippines.
The sessions will be led by expert trainers from Safestart International, namely Larry Wilson, author and founder; Sarah Stoker, development director; Anmol Tiwari, territory manager and consultant - Asia Pacific and Middle East, and Mitchell Wilson, territory manager and consultant - Asia Pacific and Middle East.
The comprehesive safety programme known as Safestart Trainer Certification Level 1 Course will be held at Taguig, Manila, from 5-6 May, indulging participants in a structured six-step implementation process that helps foster a sustained culture of safety while increasing awareness on tackling workplace incidents.
Participants will walk away with a fresh perspective on safety that explores the root causes behind most unintentional injuries by identifying the human factors and critical errors. Be at work, home or on the road, developing a heightened sense of awareness that goes beyond good maintenance and focus on specific hazards can eliminate possible accidents.
The interactive session will highlight key paradigm shifts and ensure personalised experience for participants.
There will be introduction to the concepts of states and errors, three types of at-risk behaviour, three sources of unexpected events, the personal risk pyramid, and four critical error reduction techniques. The session will also explore long-term strategies and recommendations for bringing in change as well as sustaining it.
On successful completion of the programme, candidates will be acknowledged with a certificate.
Safestart Trainer Certification Level 1 Course will be travelling across the globe:
- Dubai, UAE from 12-13 May
- Singapore from 16-17 June
- Jakarta, Indonesia from 23-24 June
- Kula Laumpur, Malaysia from 28-29 July
- Dammam, KSA from 17-18 November
For more details visit: https://events.offsnet.com/events
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Industrial Insights
- Topic: HSE
- Region: Middle East
- Date: 1st May 2026
- Year: 2026
Dubai Investments, through its real estate arm Dubai Investment Real Estate (DIR), has reported a major health, safety and environment (HSE) achievement at its Danah Bay development, recording 2 million safe working man-hours without a lost time injury across its residential and hotel towers.
The milestone has been reached while construction continues across the beachfront project on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, with core structural works progressing on both the residential and hospitality elements.
According to DIR, maintaining such a record during active construction reflects the strength of its site safety systems, operational discipline and risk management framework, all of which are embedded across project delivery stages.
Obaid Al Salami, General Manager of Dubai Investment Real Estate, said safety is treated as a fundamental part of project execution rather than a standalone requirement.
“Health and safety is central to how we operate across all our developments,” he said. “It is not simply about compliance, but about ensuring that every stage of construction is delivered responsibly, with clear accountability and strong oversight. Achieving 2 million safe man-hours without a lost time incident demonstrates the effectiveness of our systems and the commitment of everyone on site.”
He added that maintaining rigorous HSE standards supports both delivery performance and long-term asset quality. “When safety is embedded into daily operations, it enhances project efficiency, protects workers and ultimately strengthens the value we deliver to investors and end users,” he said.
The Danah Bay development is being delivered in phases and includes residential units, a hotel and lifestyle components aimed at creating a fully integrated waterfront destination. Current works focus on vertical construction of the residential tower and structural progress on the hotel, alongside ongoing building services and site operations.
DIR also confirmed that the villa component, comprising 189 units, is fully completed, with partial handover already underway. This marks a key step in the project’s phased delivery programme.
As construction advances, Dubai Investments and DIR say they will continue prioritising HSE performance alongside timely execution, reinforcing confidence in delivery standards and long-term project sustainability.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Industrial Insights
- Topic: Industrial
- Region: Middle East
- Date: 30th April 2026
- Year: 2026
Arada has recorded more than 100 million safe man-hours without a lost time injury (LTI) at its flagship Aljada development in Sharjah, underscoring its focus on worker safety across large-scale construction projects.
The milestone follows the completion of residential works in the Naseej District earlier this year, part of the AED35bn master-planned community. Since construction began in 2018, over 9,000 homes have been delivered across the 24mn sq ft development, with the first residences handed over in 2021.
Today, Aljada is home to around 20,000 residents and includes a mix of residential, commercial and lifestyle offerings. Completed works span multiple sectors, including retail, hospitality, education, sports facilities and infrastructure, reflecting the scale and complexity of the project.
Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, Group CEO of Arada, said the achievement highlights the company’s commitment to prioritising safety across all operations. “The wellbeing of frontline workers remains our top priority across every project,” he said. “Reaching more than 100 million safe man-hours without a lost time injury at Aljada is a significant accomplishment and reflects the dedication of our teams and partners.”
He added that the company’s safety performance is built on a culture of shared responsibility and proactive risk management. “Our approach is based on strong systems, continuous monitoring and empowering all stakeholders to prioritise safety above operational pressures. This milestone demonstrates our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of health, safety and environmental performance.”
Once complete, Aljada is expected to feature more than 25,000 homes, alongside hotels, a major commercial district, schools and a large retail destination, all integrated within landscaped green spaces. Its location offers connectivity to key transport routes, including Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and proximity to major airports.
The achievement positions Aljada as a benchmark for construction safety in the region, reflecting growing emphasis on robust health and safety practices across major developments in the UAE.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Industrial Insights
- Topic: Training
- Region: Europe
- Date: 29th April 2026
- Year: 2026
NEBOSH has refreshed its Health and Safety at Work Award, introducing updates aimed at strengthening its position as an accessible entry point into occupational safety training.
Designed as a short, introductory qualification, the course can be completed in around three days and equips learners with the practical skills needed to identify common workplace hazards, assess risks and support safer working environments across a range of industries. The programme also aims to build confidence in applying core safety principles in real-world settings.
The revised 2026 version includes a more structured syllabus, offering clearer guidance on learning outcomes. It also introduces content on mental ill-health, reflecting a broader understanding of workplace risks, and aligns more closely with NEBOSH’s higher-level qualifications to support progression.
Feedback from previous participants has been strong, with the qualification achieving a 93% recommendation rate. Many learners reported that the course helped them better manage everyday risks, prevent incidents and improve overall safety practices within their organisations.
Janet Dawson, who led the redevelopment, said the qualification remains a practical starting point for those entering the field. “The Health and Safety at Work Award provides learners with essential knowledge to make immediate improvements in their workplaces and reduce the likelihood of incidents,” she said. “Because the assessment is based on the learner’s own working environment, it allows them to deliver real value to their organisation while studying.”
Learners have also highlighted the qualification’s role in supporting career development. Akram Ali Khan, who completed the award before progressing to more advanced certifications, said: “It gave me a solid grounding in key areas such as risk assessment, hazard control and the importance of building a strong safety culture.”
The qualification is available in both English and Arabic through NEBOSH’s global network of learning partners, making it accessible to a wide audience seeking to build foundational knowledge in health and safety.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Industrial Insights
- Topic: HSE
- Region: Europe
- Date: 28th April 2026
- Year: 2026
British Safety Council has strengthened its leadership with the appointment of three new trustees to its board: Sachit Rajan, Sarah Adamson and Richard Daniels.
Chairman Peter McGettrick welcomed the additions, noting that each brings specialist expertise across areas including investment, governance, risk management and occupational safety. He highlighted that their combined experience will support the organisation’s ongoing development as it approaches seven decades of promoting workplace health, safety and wellbeing.
Richard Daniels joins the board following a long career with the Health and Safety Executive, where he held senior roles over more than three decades. Most recently, he served as Director of the Chemicals Regulation Division, overseeing the safe management and use of chemicals across the UK. His previous positions include serving as Chief Inspector of Explosives, and he has been recognised as an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Explosive Engineers.
Sarah Adamson, Managing Director of SC Limited, brings extensive experience in risk advisory and fire resilience. Her work has included leading major programmes for the UK government and contributing to the development of fire and rescue capabilities internationally. She also holds leadership roles within industry bodies, including the Fire Industry Association Export Council and the Fire and Rescue Suppliers Association, and is known for her focus on strengthening professional standards and sector collaboration.
Sachit Rajan adds a strong background in strategy, governance and investment. His experience spans multiple sectors and regions, with a focus on supporting organisations through growth, transformation and ESG integration. He has advised leadership teams and boards on aligning operational performance with long-term strategic objectives, as well as implementing robust governance frameworks.
The appointments reflect the British Safety Council’s continued focus on strengthening its governance and expanding its expertise base to address evolving challenges in workplace safety, sustainability and organisational resilience.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Industrial Insights
- Topic: HSE
- Region: Middle East
- Date: 27th April 2026
- Year: 2026
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has called for urgent global action to address psychosocial risks in the workplace, warning that more than 840,000 deaths each year are linked to such factors.
Marking World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2026, ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo highlighted the growing importance of mental health, job design and workplace culture in shaping workers’ overall wellbeing.
According to the ILO, rapid changes in the global labour landscape – driven by digitalisation, evolving employment models, demographic shifts and climate pressures – are transforming how work is organised. These changes, while offering new opportunities, are also intensifying psychosocial risks that can significantly affect workers’ safety, health and dignity.
The organisation stressed that work plays a central role in people’s lives, offering purpose, security and opportunity. However, poorly designed or managed work environments can have the opposite effect, contributing to stress, mental health disorders and even physical illness. Psychosocial risk factors have been strongly associated with cardiovascular diseases and mental health conditions, underscoring the scale of the challenge.
Beyond the human toll, the ILO noted that these risks impose substantial economic and social costs, affecting productivity, increasing healthcare burdens and undermining organisational resilience. As such, creating safe and healthy working environments is not only a moral imperative but also a key driver of sustainable economic performance.
The ILO reiterated that safe and healthy workplaces are a fundamental principle and right at work, but achieving this requires deliberate action. Effective job design, manageable workloads, supportive leadership and inclusive workplace cultures are all critical components in reducing psychosocial risks.
"For workers in every sector, psychosocial factors at work can make the difference between a job that supports well-being and one that undermines it," Houngbo said.
The agency emphasised that responsibility must be shared across all stakeholders. Governments are urged to establish robust policies, legal frameworks and occupational safety and health systems that prioritise prevention. Employers, meanwhile, play a crucial role in shaping day-to-day working conditions through responsible management practices and leadership. Workers and their representatives also contribute valuable insights into workplace realities, enabling more effective interventions.
The ILO called for stronger collaboration through social dialogue to address these issues comprehensively. By working together, stakeholders can ensure that the organisation and management of work promote healthier employees, more resilient businesses and societies that are closer to achieving social justice.
The appeal aligns with the ILO’s broader vision of decent work, which places human dignity, safety and wellbeing at the centre of economic development.
- Details
- Louise Waters
- Industrial Insights
- Topic: HSE
- Region: Middle East
- Date: 24th April 2026
- Year: 2026
At a lively and thought-provoking SafeStart webinar, Larry Wilson, CEO and founder of SafeStart, explained the neuroscience behind complacency, how often it is a contributing factor to incidents, and what techniques and strategies can be employed both at a personal and a company level to combat it
In high-risk environments, incidents rarely happen due to lack of skill; they happen when attention drops and complacency sets in. It is the combination of complacency with serious human factors that causes that causes the majority of serious incidents and fatalities.
The dangers posed by complacency have been recognised throughout history, as illustrated by an old Africa proverb “You only encounter the wild beast on the familiar trail.”
Delving into the two stages of the complacency continuum, Larry Wilson explained how neurological factors mean that it is inevitable that complacency sets in around the time that competence is achieved. And while competence is essential (who would trust an incompetent train driver or incompetent forklift truck driver?), with competence comes complacency, and that complacency can lead to mind not on task, or mind not on risk.
“You might be thinking about driving, but you’re thinking, is it the next right or the second right hand turn? You’re not necessarily thinking about that transport truck that is right beside you,” said Wilson.
At the second stage of complacency, it can start to affect decision making, as illustrated by statements such as “I’ve been doing this job for 20 years and never been hurt yet.”
“Once you get to the first stage of complacency your mind can wander. As soon as you get past the first stage of complacency, you become very susceptible to the active states, the active human factors such as rushing, frustration and fatigue. These can contribute to eyes not on task, mind not on task, line-of- fire, and balance/traction/grip issues, which increase the risk of injury.”
Critical error reduction techniques
Wilson then introduced the critical error reduction techniques to combat complacency which include:
• Self-triggering – It is important to recognise the active states and to self-trigger at this stage. “As soon as you realise you’re rushing, using too many things at one, or feeling frustrated, or feeling tired, you have to quickly think eyes; mind; line of fire; balance/traction/ grip. These are the four critical errors that can hurt you, and normally if you think about those errors, you will be much less likely to make one.” However it is not enough to self-trigger – reinforcement is needed. “It takes 66 repetitions to change those neural pathways,” Wilson noted.
• Good safety habits – These include strategies such as looking out for things that could cause you to lose your balance, traction or grip; looking for line of fire potential; moving your eyes before moving hands, feet, body or car; testing your footing or grip before you commit your weight, etc. Working on these helps to compensate for complacency. Wilson emphasised th e importance of working on one habit at a time, and gradually improving all five habits.
• Analyse close calls and small errors – “Every time you bump and scrape into something ask yourself, why, and think about how it could have been worse. When you contemplate the worse case scenario, it adds a bit more voltage in terms of creating those neural pathways.”
• Look at others for the patterns that increase the risk of injury.
Wilson went on to discuss how critical decisions are influenced or compromised by the four states - rushing, frustration, fatigue and complacency - or a combination of those states, and how they can lead to not following rules, procedures and PPE standards. For example not checking critical pieces of equipment, not using PPE or a device you would normally use or following a safe procedure you would normally do, being overly complacent with other people so you don’t anticipate potential problems, or being complacent enough to do something you know increases the likelihood of mind or eyes not on task, such as driving while on the phone.
He shared the example of a maintenance technician fabricator with 40 years experience, who was cutting off bolts with a grinder, a task he had done many times before. However a colleague had put the bolts on back to front, a source of frustration. The technician was not wearing a face visor, as he normally would, and took a deliberate risk by conducting an unsafe procedure. The grinder kicked back and cut him in the face.
“So for complacency, we need to focus on the critical error reduction techniques for complacency. For the people that are making the exception, we need to get them to self trigger on the states that are causing the exception. And by pointing out the traps that almost everyone falls into, and getting them to think about the states and the critical error reduction techniques, we will get safe behaviour on a voluntary basis. We want to create a culture of voluntary compliance.”
Wilson gave the example of a site in Nigeria which had gone five years without a lost time incident. Particularly impressive had been the staff parking lot, where every single car was voluntarily backed in without any sign instructing this, following sessions with SafeStart.
He went on to recommend tools and techniques companies could take to combat the second stage of complacency, such as ‘rate your state’ activities, toolbox talks, refresher training, near-miss reports etc.
These can be combined with actions people can take on a personal basis, such as using the critical reduction techniques, working on the safety habits, and using tools such as ‘rate your state’ to assess the likelihood of making a critical error.
“For example when you get into the car, ask yourself, ‘How am I doing: am I rushing, feeling frustration, fatigue, complacency?’ And halfway through the drive, ask yourself again.”
“You can’t beat complacency – it’s the way your brain is hardwired,” Wilson concluded. “The key thing is to recognise that you don’t have to let complacency beat you.”
Access the webinar
Keen to learn more? The webinar can be accessedhere
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Industrial Insights
- Topic: HSE
- Region: North America
- Date: 23rd April 2026
- Year: 2026
A new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) has revealed the significant and growing impact of psychosocial risks in the workplace, linking them to more than 840,000 deaths each year worldwide.
The findings, released to mark the World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28 April 2026, highlight the urgent need for stronger policies and workplace interventions to address these risks.
According to the report, psychosocial risk factors—such as long working hours, workplace stress, and exposure to harassment—are major contributors to cardiovascular diseases and mental health disorders. These risks are also responsible for nearly 45 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost annually, underscoring their widespread impact on both individuals and economies. The ILO estimates that the resulting loss in productivity equates to approximately 1.37% of global GDP each year.
One of the most pressing concerns identified is the prevalence of long working hours. Globally, around 35% of workers exceed 48 hours per week, a threshold associated with a heightened risk of stroke and heart disease. In parallel, workplace harassment remains a persistent issue, with 23% of workers reporting that they have experienced some form of violence or harassment during their careers. Psychological violence is the most common, affecting 18% of workers.
The report defines the psychosocial working environment as encompassing job design, organisational practices, and workplace interactions, all of which influence employee wellbeing and organisational performance. It notes that evolving work trends—including digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and the rise of remote and platform-based work—are reshaping how work is organised and managed. While these developments offer opportunities for flexibility and efficiency, they may also intensify psychosocial risks if not properly managed.
Despite growing awareness, the integration of psychosocial considerations into occupational safety and health (OSH) frameworks remains limited. Only 18% of cross-border labour agreements between 2000 and 2025 explicitly address mental health or psychosocial risks. However, momentum is building, with 37% of surveyed institutions indicating plans to strengthen data collection and monitoring of these risks within the next five years.
The ILO emphasises that effective prevention requires a comprehensive approach addressing three key areas: the nature of the job itself, how work is organised and managed, and broader organisational policies and systems. Risk assessment is identified as a critical tool, involving the identification of hazards, evaluation of exposure, and implementation of preventive measures.
Importantly, the report stresses that prevention should prioritise organisational changes rather than relying solely on individual coping strategies. Measures such as improving workload management, enhancing role clarity, fostering supportive leadership, and strengthening worker participation are seen as essential to reducing risks at their source.
Looking ahead, the ILO calls for stronger research, more coherent regulatory frameworks, and greater workplace-level action. It highlights the need for harmonised data, clearer legislation, and improved collaboration between governments, employers, and workers.
As the nature of work continues to evolve, the report concludes that addressing psychosocial risks will be critical not only for safeguarding worker health but also for sustaining productivity and economic resilience.