**Preface**

In an increasingly interconnected world, partnerships between universities and corporations emerge as pivotal agents of change. Their collaborative efforts wield a profound impact on the global pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This book serves as a testament to the critical role they play in shaping our future, revealing significant market opportunities across diverse research domains.

The year 2021 marked a profound transformation in how we perceive and address safety and health in the workplace. On the occasion of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the International Labour Organization (ILO) issued a clarion call to nations worldwide. This call implored them to strengthen their occupational safety and health (OSH) systems, ensuring resilience to confront future health crises effectively. The solution, we are told, lies in substantial investments in OSH infrastructure, seamlessly integrated into comprehensive national emergency preparedness and response plans. The overarching objective is to safeguard the well-being of workers while fortifying the foundations of business continuity.

Within these pages, you will embark on a journey of exploration into the ever-evolving landscape of work environments. As economic challenges test our resolve, a resounding message echoes forth from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA): the cost of inadequate occupational safety and health measures is not solely human but also financial. Furthermore, a multitude of case studies unveiled in this volume illustrate a direct correlation between proficient OSH management within organizations and the enhancement of overall performance and profitability.

This book, a collaborative endeavor of diverse contributors from around the globe, casts a wide net over the realms of Advances in Occupational Health and Safety Management and Risk Management. It aspires to provide a holistic view of these domains, shedding light on their multifaceted intricacies. It delves into topics as varied as the mechanics of occupational health and safety management systems, the art of risk assessment, the cultivation of resilient systems, the influence of psychosocial factors, the impact of human factors and ergonomics, the criticality of cost-benefit analysis, and the imperative for accident prevention.

But this book transcends the ordinary. It casts its gaze into the horizon of emerging risks with profound health and safety implications. It unravels the intricacies of navigating the circular economy, digitization, nanomaterials, green jobs, and telework, examining their potential effects on worker well-being. Furthermore, it navigates the uncharted waters of artificial intelligence in occupational health and safety management and delves into the implications of Industry 4.0 on the health and safety of the workforce.

As we embark on this collective odyssey through the pages that follow, let us remember that the pursuit of knowledge is a journey, not a destination. May the insights contained herein serve as beacons, guiding us toward a future where the principles of safety, health, and sustainability form the bedrock of our endeavors.

Let us delve deep, challenge conventions, and emerge armed with the wisdom and innovation needed to shape a world where every workplace is a haven of safety, every task is infused with purpose, and every individual's well-being is protected.
