Europe

A groundbreaking report from the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) has, for the first time, put a price tag on the economic toll of work-related stress across the European Union, estimating it at over €100bn (US$105bn) annually.

The study, titled 'Work-related stress and cardiovascular diseases', highlights the staggering financial and human costs of workplace stress, linking it to cardiovascular diseases and mental health disorders like depression.

The ETUI report reveals that work-related stress contributes significantly to cardiovascular diseases, which account for a substantial portion of the €100 billion cost. These expenses stem from healthcare costs, lost productivity, and absenteeism due to stress-induced illnesses. The study also underscores the mental health impact, with depression caused by workplace stress adding to the economic strain.

In 2015 alone, the report estimates that more than 10,000 workers died, and over 400,000 years of life were lost due to cardiovascular diseases and depression caused by work-related psychosocial risks. “These are preventable deaths,” said Dimitra Theodori, Head of Health and Safety at ETUI. “We urgently need to redesign work environments to protect both mental and physical health.”

The report identifies significant variations in stress levels across EU member states, with countries like Poland reporting higher rates of workplace stress compared to nations such as the Netherlands and Switzerland. France, Belgium, Finland, Ireland and the Netherlands rank among the five countries most affected in terms of cost per 100,000 workers. The cost of depression attributable to all five PWEs is for instance 2.2 times higher in the Netherlands than in Poland per 100,000 workers, or 2.3 times higher in France than in Portugal.

Women workers are disproportionately affected by psychosocial risks such as excessive working hours, job uncertainty, and workplace bullying.

A Call for Action

The ETUI urges employers and EU institutions to treat work-related stress as an organisational issue requiring collective action. The report advocates for stronger workplace policies, including better stress management programmes, improved working conditions, and greater support for mental health. It also calls for regulatory measures to hold employers accountable for mitigating stress-related risks.

“While workplace fatalities have decreased over the years, the toll of psychosocial risks continues to rise—often invisible, yet devastating. It's time to treat mental well-being as a fundamental workplace right,” said Theodori.

The sentiment is echoed in the ETUI’s recommendations, which emphasize collaboration between employers, unions, and policymakers to reduce the burden of stress.

Broader Implications

The report’s release comes amid growing concern over workplace wellbeing in the EU, with 51% of workers reporting that stress is common in their workplaces and 40% believing it is poorly managed, according to EU-OSHA data. The ETUI’s findings align with these concerns, warning that unaddressed stress could undermine efforts to build resilient and sustainable economies.

Social media discussions on platforms like X have amplified the report’s impact, with users highlighting the €100 billion figure as evidence of systemic workplace issues. Posts describe the cost as a reflection of “conditions that make people stressed or unhappy at work,” urging political action to address deteriorating work environments.

• Region: Europe
• Year: 2025

As EU-OSHA research reveals that tech innovation and emerging mental health issues are impacting workers, the association has unveiled a suite of resources (including dedicated publications) about the risks of 'invisible' challenges in the workplace

A dedicated 11-page publication, 'Electromagnetic fields: present and future challenges for occupational safety and health', examines the risks of electromagnetic fields, such as cancer, and discusses how excitement around the opportunities that EMFs present cannot be divorced from the risks and challenges they introduce to occupational health and safety.

Similarly invisible yet almost as devastating are the risks proposed by mental health challenges in the workplace. One such issue has been dubbed 'eco-anxiety', and refers to the worry induced by climate change and environmental damage. The 12-page 'Eco-anxiety and its implications for occupational safety and health' report hopes to explore how practitioners and policymakers can address eco-anxiety concerns and mental health challenges.

A full breakdown of emerging HSE risks and challenges has been added to EU-OSHA's website alongside the new publications.

• Region: Europe
• Year: 2025

In a significant move to address evolving workplace health challenges, Luxembourg’s health minister, Martine Deprez, has pledged to reactivate the High Commission for Occupational Diseases. 

The decision, announced following a pivotal meeting on 2 April, marks a turning point in the nation’s approach to occupational health, particularly as it grapples with the emerging risks posed by climate change. 

The push to revive the commission stems from a January 2025 motion tabled by déi Lénk deputies David Wagner and Marc Baum. 

Their proposal called for a reassessment of occupational health policies to include diseases linked to climate-related factors, a growing concern as rising temperatures, extreme weather, and shifting environmental conditions begin to impact workplaces across the Grand Duchy. 

The motion gained traction, culminating in this week’s commitment from Minister Deprez to breathe new life into the commission.

The High Commission, established under Luxembourg’s robust labor framework, is tasked with identifying and cataloging diseases directly attributable to workplace conditions. 

Updating disease list

Historically, its work has ensured that workers afflicted by occupational illnesses, ranging from respiratory conditions caused by industrial exposure to musculoskeletal disorders tied to repetitive tasks, receive recognition and support. 

However, as medical knowledge advances and new risks emerge, the need for an updated list has become undeniable. 

Deprez emphasised that the commission’s revival would align Luxembourg’s policies with the latest scientific insights, particularly those highlighting the intersection of climate change and occupational health.

Opposition voices have largely welcomed the move. Djuna Bernard, a deputy from déi Gréng, described it as “a positive and necessary step” in safeguarding workers’ well-being. 

Outdoor workers, in particular, are increasingly exposed to extreme heat and UV radiation, while indoor environments contend with poor air quality linked to wildfires and pollution.

The reactivation of the commission signals Luxembourg’s proactive stance in a world where occupational health is no longer confined to traditional hazards. 

Experts anticipate that the updated list could include conditions such as heatstroke, exacerbated respiratory illnesses, and psychological stress tied to climate-induced disruptions—issues that have gained prominence in medical literature over the past decade. 

The commission’s work will also likely draw on international models, with countries like France and Germany already adapting their own occupational disease frameworks to account for environmental factors.

For now, the timeline for the commission’s first meeting remains unclear, though Deprez has promised swift action. 

According to Luxembourg Times, left-wing lawmakers cited that “Studies conducted in France showing that people who frequently work in conditions of thermal stress (at least six hours per day, five days per week, for two months of the year) are more likely to suffer from kidney diseases or acute kidney injuries.” 

• Region: Europe
• Year: 2025

Global HSE Group's training division has launched a new fire safety qualification, crafted for construction professionals

Understanding Fire Safety Design hopes to establish the foundational fire safety knowledge required to work in safety-critical environments such as construction sites.

The course promises both theory and practical application to integrate fire safety into the project design and execution stages.

Global HSE Group's head of technical and training, Chris Sharman, said the qualification "has been created for individuals working on construction projects such as Principal Designers, or individuals within Principal, Main, or sub-contractors with a level of design liability where fire safety knowledge is crucial.

"This demonstrates Global Academy’s commitment to delivering industry-leading training that aligns with ever-evolving fire safety regulations."

Andrew Cooper, Global HSE Group's managing director, added, "Fire safety is a fundamental aspect of building design, and ensuring that professionals have the right knowledge to integrate it effectively is vital.

"The Understanding Fire Safety Design qualification is a significant step forward in equipping learners with both the theoretical knowledge and the practical application needed to enhance safety in the built environment."

Professionals can enrol for the course via Global Academy now.

• Region: Europe
• Year: 2025

Exposure to welding fumes is a significant occupational hazard, with documented links to lung cancer, asthma, and other respiratory conditions. In 2019, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) classified welding fumes as a Group 1 carcinogen, mandating effective respiratory protective equipment (RPE) for all indoor welding tasks and outdoor welding where ventilation is inadequate.

Darren Binns, Jefferson Tools' national sales manager, emphasised the danger presented by welding fumes. "The risks associated with welding fumes are too serious to ignore. Employers need to take proactive steps to ensure their workers are protected and that means investing in the right equipment."

Jefferson Tools has long supplied the Tundra Air Fed Welding Helmet, designed to provide continuous, filtered airflow to reduce welders' exposure to hazardous fumes. The helmet includes a comfortable carrying belt and a protected air hose for durability. A lightweight, ergonomic design promises comfort for extended use, while an auto-darkening filter ensures clear vision and smooth task transitions.

Introducing the upgraded revision of the helmet, which responds to industry feedback about the former version's visibility with an increased viewing window, Darren continued, "Our enhanced Tundra Air Fed Welding Helmet provides welders with superior protection, comfort, and visibility, making compliance easier while safeguarding long-term health. At Jefferson Tools, we’re committed to helping businesses meet HSE requirements with solutions that put worker safety first."

As regulatory requirements and enforcement measures continue to evolve, effective RPE remains essential in ensuring welders’ long-term health and safety.

• Region: Europe
• Year: 2025

Radars are playing an increasingly pivotal role in advancing autonomous driving technology, with front and side radars forming essential components of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).

According to IDTechEx’s latest report, "Automotive Radar Market 2025-2045: Robotaxis & Autonomous Cars," innovations in radar technology are pushing autonomy to new levels, particularly with the growing adoption of Level 2+ systems in the US and Europe.

Front radars are fundamental for object detection, supporting key ADAS functions such as adaptive cruise control (ACC) and automatic emergency braking (AEB). The push to enhance front radar capabilities is driving innovation in the sector, with angular resolution and range emerging as top priorities. These improvements are expected to significantly refine vehicle automation and safety features, taking precedence over factors like field of view and compactness.

Side radars: improving blind spot detection

Side radars are primarily utilised for blind spot detection (BSD), with lane change assist (LCA) serving as an advanced extension of this technology. LCA helps vehicles assess approaching traffic before executing lane changes, enhancing overall safety. Cross-traffic alert (CTA) is another crucial function, particularly useful when reversing out of parking spaces. Additionally, junction pedestrian AEB combines input from front and side radars to detect pedestrians at intersections before a vehicle completes a turn, demonstrating the collaborative potential of radar systems in improving road safety.

Unlike front radars, side radars require a wide field of view to monitor the vehicle’s surroundings effectively. Compact design is also a priority, allowing for seamless integration into vehicles without compromising aesthetics or functionality. However, long-range detection is less critical for side radars, with an effective range of up to 50 metres being sufficient for their primary tasks.

IDTechEx describes Level 2+ as a bridge between Level 2 and Level 3 autonomy, allowing drivers to operate vehicles hands-free while maintaining focus on the road. This level of automation has gained significant momentum, particularly in the US, where Tesla’s ‘Full Self-Driving’ and Ford’s ‘BlueCruise’ systems are already in operation.

Following its European debut in 2023, Ford’s BlueCruise now operates in 15 countries, according to IDTechEx. Meanwhile, Tesla is targeting 2025 for the launch of fully self-driving vehicles in China, a move expected to accelerate the adoption of Level 2+ systems worldwide. The requirement for driver supervision in Level 2+ systems may be a key factor in their rising popularity over Level 3, as they provide a blend of automation and security, easing liability concerns for manufacturers.

4D radars and the path to higher autonomy

The future of vehicle autonomy hinges on the development of 4D and imaging radars, which offer enhanced elevation and azimuth resolution. These advanced radars will be instrumental in refining vehicle perception, enabling more precise planning and adaptive responses. As a result, they are expected to play a crucial role in facilitating the transition to Level 3 and Level 4 autonomy, bringing fully autonomous vehicles closer to reality.

With radar technology continuing to evolve, its role in autonomous driving is set to expand, reinforcing safety and accelerating the transition towards self-driving vehicles on a global scale.

• Region: Europe
• Year: 2025

Navtech's MAS10 is the world's first 77GHz FMCW marine radar, promising all-weather navigation and safer manoeuvring.

The company partnered with leading marine operators for the product's development, inspiring its groundbreaking adoption of weatherproof W-band radar tech and rugged design to support its mission-critical applications.

Rachel O'Connor, Navtech Radar's marine business development manager, stated, "New challenges demand more advanced solutions. The MAS10 radar is purpose-built for marine automation, combining a 1km range with centimetre-level precision and all-weather reliability.

"The MAS10’s high-resolution imaging enables machine-learning-powered classification, setting a new standard for safe and intelligent navigation. With 25 years of Navtech expertise, the MAS10 is designed to enable safer and smarter navigation for the future of maritime operations."

Zero USV was one such operator partnering with Navtech for the MAS10 product development. Matthew Ratsey, Zero USV's founder and MD, added, "Navtech's MAS10 is such a unit, the definition and quality to pick up even the smallest of targets in cluttered environments is vital for the autonomous industry to continue seeking the goal of ‘jetty to jetty’ navigation where busy harbours still represent a significant challenge."

• Region: Europe
• Year: 2025

Vattenfall, one of Europe’s largest producers and retailers of electricity and heat, has used Flyability’s Elios 3 drone to create 3D models of restricted areas inside a decommissioned power plant, improving its understanding of locations deemed unsafe for human entry.

Once decommissioned, power plants often remain untouched for extended periods due to safety hazards and security concerns. Large industrial facilities present risks such as falls, head injuries, and confined space dangers. Additionally, the proprietary designs and operational methods of power plants require protection, leading to further restrictions.

Despite these constraints, companies must continue maintaining decommissioned plants. However, limited access makes it difficult to assess structural conditions, posing challenges for routine inspections and long-term planning.

Leveraging drone technology for inspection

The decommissioned facility, no longer in operation, had been repurposed as a training site for firefighters, but certain sections were still off-limits due to falling debris risks.

A long-time Flyability customer, Vattenfall saw potential in the Elios 3, an indoor drone equipped with a LiDAR sensor, for creating precise 3D maps of no-go zones. The company conducted test flights at the plant to determine whether the Elios 3’s simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM) capabilities could generate usable models.

Using the FlyAware SLAM algorithm, the drone processed real-time LiDAR data, creating 3D visualisations of restricted areas. The collected data was later refined with FARO software for higher-resolution post-processed models, enhancing the team's ability to understand the facility’s layout.

The test flights focused on a deteriorating stairwell, an area deemed unsafe for human entry. The Elios 3 successfully navigated the confined space, flying 30-40 m (98-130 ft) up the stairwell while maintaining a strong signal and collecting high-precision data.

Vattenfall’s R&D team confirmed that both the SLAM-generated and post-processed models met their inspection needs, demonstrating the potential for broader applications across other decommissioned plants.

Anders Lindström, Digital Inspection Specialist in Vattenfall’s R&D Department, said,
“The LiDAR capability is a great addition to the Elios' capabilities and it is so far the only drone with LiDAR capability in this size segment”.

Without the Elios 3, personnel would have needed rope access or scaffolding to inspect the site manually, a process that could take weeks and incur high costs. Instead, the drone completed the task in just 30 minutes, showcasing significant time, cost, and safety benefits.

• Region: Europe
• Year: 2025

The 2024 European Survey of Enterprises on New and Emerging Risks (ESENER) provides fresh insights into workplace risks across Europe, with musculoskeletal disorders, psychosocial stress, and digitalisation emerging as key concerns.

The survey, conducted across all sectors, highlights persistent challenges, such as prolonged sitting and repetitive movements, while also revealing the increasing impact of modern work practices on occupational safety and health.

Musculoskeletal risks remain dominant, with 64% of workplaces citing prolonged sitting as the most common issue, followed closely by repetitive hand or arm movements, reported by 63%.

Additionally, 52% identified lifting or moving heavy loads as a significant risk. The growing prevalence of remote work—up from 13% in 2019 to 23% in 2024—has further contributed to concerns about ergonomic hazards and digital workplace risks.

Psychosocial risks have also become a major challenge, particularly in service industries. More than half of surveyed organisations (56%) identified dealing with difficult customers, patients, or pupils as a key issue.

However, 25% of organisations still fail to acknowledge psychosocial risks, a shortfall that underscores the need for targeted interventions.

Worrisome trends

Reflecting on the results, EU-OSHA executive director William Cockburn stated, “25% of organisations still fail to recognise the presence of psychosocial risks, highlighting a significant shortfall in addressing these important issues. This underlines the importance of our upcoming Healthy Workplaces Campaign, launching in 2026, which will focus on tackling the impact of psychosocial risks at work on workers’ mental health.” 

Among workplaces that recognise psychosocial risk factors, 21% find them harder to manage than other occupational safety and health (OSH) risks. Perceptions vary by country, with Sweden (38%) and Denmark (37%) reporting the greatest challenges.

Employee participation in designing measures to mitigate psychosocial risks has declined slightly, dropping from 61% in 2019 to 55% in 2024.

Digitalisation is increasingly influencing workplace safety, with 43% of organisations incorporating digital technologies into their risk assessments, a rise from previous years. Spain and Slovenia lead the way, with over 60% of workplaces considering digital risks in their assessments.

Training on digital technology usage has also expanded, reaching 42% of workplaces overall and 75% in Malta.

Companies are also reporting new risks associated with digitalisation, including increased work intensity (34%), information overload (32%), and blurred boundaries between work and personal life (27%).

Encouragingly, consultation with employees on the impact of digitalisation has improved, with 35% of workplaces engaging workers on these issues—up from 24% in 2019.

These preliminary findings mark the beginning of a deeper analysis of ESENER 2024 data.

Additional reports will be published through 2026, offering further insights into the evolving landscape of workplace risks in Europe.

• Region: Europe
• Year: 2025

It is nearly time for the doors to open on Offshore Network’s inaugural North Sea Health, Safety and Environment conference (HSE North Sea) which will make its debut this summer in Scotland.

Building on the success from previous HSE forums produced by Offshore Network (HSE GOM, HSE MENA and HSE KSA), the inaugural conference will deliver deep insights and analyses from Europe’s leading offshore industry experts covering diverse topics under the HSE umbrella.

With a focus placed on urgent HSE challenges offshore, delegates will spend two days gaining insights into the latest pioneering technologies dutifully addressing these factors and have the opportunity to learn even more with 10 bespoke tech demos.

An array of sessions and panels will take place over the two-day affair, including an exclusive key note address by Dr. Fawaz Bitar, Senior VP HSE & Carbon at bp. Other representatives from Ambrey, bp, IOGP, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Mental Health In Energy, Shell, and the UN Environment Programme will also be taking to the stage to deliver talks on safety culture, regulation navigation, emerging challenges, and mental resilience within the industry.

More than 150 delegates will descend into the Chester Hotel in Aberdeen on 11-12 June, 2025, to share knowledge and connect with operators, government representatives, experts and technology developers. With eight dedicated networking events and two exclusive breakout workshops, HSE North Sea provides unparalleled opportunities for collaboration and innovation in an ever-changing sector.  

For more information about speaking, sponsorship or delegate packages, please contact Gabrielle Foster at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as space is extremely limited. 

• Region: Europe
• Year: 2025

The UK's Health and Safety Executive inspected 13 production operators across the North Sea as part of its Process Safety Leadership Principles (PLSP) programme; it has now published its findings and uncovered the risks that remain amongst offshore companies.

The PSLP were developed after the Executive flagged concerns about stagnating safety standards to the offshore industry in 2018. They cover management and regulatory skills to improve and ensure safety on sites.

Inspections took place between January 2022 and May 2024; industry leaders were also engaged with to determine exactly how the safety leadership principles were being embedded throughout project lifecycle stages. The final report, reflecting the outcome of the inspections, quality assessments and actionable next steps, has now been published.

Samantha Peace, director of the HSE's Energy Division, reported that "offshore companies are now engaging with one another on an unprecedented level... firms were looking at themselves, identifying areas of improvement, engaging with other companies and above all, finding solutions."

While these successes are, of course, critical to ensuring that safety regulation is not snubbed moving forward, the report found "several consistent themes" where safety was dismissed or lacking, and that the themes "were not unique to individual organisations."

One such shortcoming was the dwindling workforce, which has in turn sparked a decrease in knowledge and competency within operator workforces.

Despite the final inspection taking place in May of 2024, Samantha affirmed that the HSE "will continue to question companies on how they are implementing PSLP and whether they are still collaborating with other firms on the same level we witnessed during the programme."

The report itself promises "anonymous feedback... on any common trends or themes," identified by the Executive moving forward.

• Region: Europe
• Year: 2025

SPIE, Europe’s leading independent provider of multi-technical services in energy and communications, has earned the Step 4 Safety Culture Ladder (SCL) certification for its Substations business unit within the High Voltage operational division in Germany.

This achievement marks SPIE as the first company in Europe to attain the second-highest certification level in the field of switchgear engineering, recognising its exceptional workplace safety culture.

The certification remains valid for three years, with performance monitored through regular audits. Notably, the Transmission Lines business unit within the same division was awarded the Step 4 SCL certificate in 2023.

Encouraging mindful safety behaviour 

“The certification independently confirms SPIE’s commitment to fostering a proactive safety culture. Ensuring all our employees return home safe and sound each day is part of our shared responsibility,” said Hannes Simon, head of substations in the high voltage operational division of SPIE Germany Switzerland Austria. “Being the first company to reach Step 4 on the Safety Culture Ladder in switchgear engineering is a source of great pride for us, not to mention clear proof that we are on the right track.”

“That both the Transmission Lines and now the Substations business units have achieved the second-highest SCL certification step is a testament to the importance of workplace safety in our operational division. We will continue to pursue this path with determination,” said Burkhard Sager, head of the high voltage operational division at SPIE Germany Switzerland Austria.

“The progress made by the High Voltage operational division sets an example for others. It demonstrates that workplace health and safety efforts succeed when employees at all levels actively contribute to establishing a sustainable safety culture in their daily work through mindful and safety-conscious behaviour,” said Markus Holzke, managing director of SPIE Germany Switzerland Austria.

SPIE places workplace safety at the core of its operations, conducting regular safety briefings, training sessions, and workshops while adhering to globally recognised occupational safety standards. The company strives to foster a strong safety culture, ensuring that employees remain vigilant while continuously minimising risks and potential hazards in daily operations.

The Safety Culture Ladder (SCL) is an internationally recognised framework that promotes workplace safety through a behaviour-based approach. Consisting of five levels, it assesses safety awareness across all organisational tiers through audits based on employee interviews and on-site observations. The evaluation also includes collaboration with partner companies, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of safety culture beyond SPIE’s immediate workforce.

SPIE is a leading independent European provider of multi-technical services in energy and communications, with a workforce of 50,000 employees across six major European countries. Driven by a commitment to sustainability, SPIE’s mission is to combat climate change by advancing energy transition and enabling a digital transformation that fosters long-term progress for communities and citizens alike.