New Horizons in Occupational Health and Safety: Engineering and Management Aspects

Dear Colleagues,

The focus of this Special Issue titled “New Horizons in Occupational Health and Safety: Engineering and Management Aspects” is to enrich the existing knowledge in the field by addressing the emerging challenges in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) management. These challenges are outlined in the EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work for 2021–2027, a document delineating vital steps for enhancing workers’ health and safety in the coming years. This strategy centers around three overarching objectives: proactively adapting to and managing changes related to green initiatives, digital advancements, and demographic shifts; enhancing the prevention of work-related accidents and illnesses while striving for a Vision Zero approach to work-related fatalities; and bolstering preparedness to address current and future health crises.

Anticipated to significantly impact OSH management across all levels and sectors, this strategy serves as a foundation for raising awareness and garnering financial support for the betterment of workers' health and safety. The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) plays a pivotal role in executing this strategy not only at the European level but also by collaborating closely with various National Agencies.

In line with the recent studies conducted by Ramos et al. (2022, 2020 and 2017) and Ramos and Almeida (2023, 2022), several pertinent topics in the realm of occupational safety and health are highlighted:

• The impact of COVID-19 on the Workplace—This area delves into the safety protocols implemented in workplaces during the pandemic and examines how these measures might shape the future of work.
• Mental Health at Work—Strategies for managing workplace stress, anxiety, and burnout are explored along with ways employers can support the mental well-being of their employees.
• Artificial Intelligence and Occupational Safety—Studies in this area investigate the applications of artificial intelligence in enhancing workplace safety, such as through advanced monitoring systems and data analysis.
• Ergonomics and Well-being—Research in this domain focuses on designing workspaces that promote ergonomics and the well-being of workers. Relevant aspects include adjustable furniture, proper lighting, and designated rest areas.
• Remote Working and Security—This area concerns the challenges related to remote work, including information security, ergonomic considerations in home offices, and maintaining a healthy work–life balance.
• Wearable Technology and Health Monitoring—Studies in this domain explore wearable devices that monitor workers' health in real time, providing data on vital parameters like heart rate and sleep quality to enhance safety and well-being.
• Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace—This area analyzes how workplace diversity contributes to improved safety and well-being for employees.

By addressing these critical areas, this Special Issue aims to foster a deeper understanding of contemporary challenges in occupational safety and health management, paving the way for safer and healthier workplaces in the future.

References

• Ramos, D.; Cotrim, T.; Arezes, P.; Baptista, J.; Rodrigues, M.; Leitão, J. (2022). Frontiers in Occupational Health and Safety Management. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 19: 10759. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710759.
• Ramos, D., Afonso, P., Rodrigues, M. (2020). Integrated management systems as a key facilitator of occupational health and safety risk management: A case study in a medium sized waste management firm. Journal of Cleaner Production 262: 121346. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121346.
• Ramos, D., Arezes, P., Afonso, P. (2017). Analysis of the return on preventive measures in musculoskeletal disorders through the benefit-cost ratio: A case study in a hospital. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics 60: 14–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2015.11.003.
• Ramos, D.; Almeida, L. (2023). Managing Nanomaterials in the Workplace by Using the Control Banding Approach. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 20: 6011. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20116011.
• Ramos D, Almeida L. (2022). Overview of Standards Related to the Occupational Risk and Safety of Nanotechnologies. Standards 2: 83–89. https://doi.org/10.3390/standards2010007.
• Pimenta, A.; Ramos, D.; Santos, G.; Rodrigues, M.A.; Doiro, M. (2023). Psychosocial Risks in Teachers from Portugal and England on the Way to Society 5.0. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 20: 6347. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20146347.

Dr. Delfina Ramos
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Safety is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• safety engineering
• wearable technology
• occupational health and safety management
• risk management
• quality and environmental management systems
• sustainability and environmentalism
• project management
• human factors and ergonomics
• nanotechnologies
• medical textiles
• cost-benefit analysis
• resilient systems
• psychosocial factors
• human factors and ergonomics
• prevention accidents
• medical textiles
• tourism safety
• standards
• emerging risks with health and safety impacts (e.g., circular economy, digitization, nanomaterials, green jobs, telework, etc.)
• artificial intelligence applied to occupational health and safety management
• industry 4.0 (impacts on workers’ health and safety)