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In the lead up to the official launch of the 2023-25 Healthy Workplaces Campaign ‘Safe and healthy work in the digital age’, our long-time campaign supporter and media partner, PuntoSicuro, conducted an exclusive interview with Maurizio Curtarelli, Senior Research Project Manager in the Prevention and Research Unit at EU-OSHA, in which they delved into the heart of the campaign as well as its role within the Agency’s work and overarching goals. 

EU-OSHA has been at the forefront of raising awareness of occupational safety and health (OSH) across Europe through its Healthy Workplaces Campaigns which have not only been instrumental in highlighting specific issues and concerns but also in bringing together various stakeholders, including companies, professionals, and governments. As a testament to its significance, the initiative is enshrined in the Agency's founding regulations.

In the interview, Dr. Curtarelli explained the collaborative process through which the campaign themes are selected. The topics are also aligned with the European Commission's Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work, ensuring that they correspond to the EU priorities.

The new campaign, set to kick-start on 25 October in Brussels, with the presence of European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, and Yolanda Díaz, Interim Second Vice-president and Minister of Labour and Social Economy of the Spanish Government, addresses the growing impact of digitalisation on OSH and aims to shed light on both risks and opportunities that come with the increasing use of digital technologies, which are not yet fully understood.

According to the insights shared by the Agency's expert, one of the most significant safety and health aspects addressed by the campaign is the prevention of psychosocial risks linked to workplace digitalisation. The term 'technostress' has been coined to describe the stress generated by the utilisation of digital technologies, which can lead to such issues as intensification of work, job insecurity, and work-life conflicts. 

When discussing the campaign's structure, he pointed out that it will span until November 2025 and focus on the five priority thematic areas, including Digital platform work is all paid work provided through, on or mediated by an online platform – that is, an online marketplace operating on digital technologies that facilitate the matching of demand for and supply of labour. , Use of systems or technical procedures to allow a device or system to execute (partially or fully) a function that was previously, or conceivably could be, carried out (partially or fully) by a human. of tasks, remote and hybrid work, worker management through (AI) AI refers to systems that display intelligent behaviour by analysing their environment and taking actions – with some degree of autonomy – to achieve specific goals. AI-based systems can be purely software-based, acting in the virtual world (e.g. voice assistants, image analysis software, search engines, speech and face recognition systems) or AI can be embedded in hardware devices (e.g. advanced robots, autonomous cars, drones or Internet of things applications). ( AI refers to systems that display intelligent behaviour by analysing their environment and taking actions – with some degree of autonomy – to achieve specific goals. AI-based systems can be purely software-based, acting in the virtual world (e.g. voice assistants, image analysis software, search engines, speech and face recognition systems) or AI can be embedded in hardware devices (e.g. advanced robots, autonomous cars, drones or Internet of things applications). ), and Umbrella term to indicate digital systems for monitoring and enhancing workers’ safety and health including for example smart PPE (that can identify levels of gases, toxins, noise levels and high-risk temperatures), wearables (able to interact with workers, with sensors that may be embedded in hardhats or safety glasses), mobile or static systems that use cameras and sensors (e.g. drones that effectively reach and monitor dangerous areas of work sites avoiding to put humans in danger in the construction and the mining industries). . EU-OSHA will offer various materials, research reports, and translations into multiple languages to ensure broad access to the information.

Regarding the evolving landscape of AI, Dr. Curtarelli highlighted the need for a regulatory framework that promotes transparency, worker consultation, and participation in technology design. These measures aim to reduce risks while harnessing the benefits of AI.

The expert further underlined the human-centred approach advocated by the campaign, placing workers at the forefront of digital transformation processes. In this context, holistic considerations of technology's impact on safety and health are crucial. It is vital to acknowledge that the former should adapt to workers' needs and not the other way around. 

For more insights about the forthcoming campaign and future of work in the digital age, read the full interview on PuntoSicuro's platform (in Italian).