Tag: European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA)

Ergonomics and the Prevention of Psychosocial Risks at Work

Gyula Szabo Leave a comment

Together for Mental Health at Work 2026–2028

Psychosocial risks are closely linked to the way work is organised and managed. Excessive workload, conflicting demands, unclear responsibilities, limited autonomy and inadequate support are familiar problems in many workplaces. Their consequences may appear as stress, fatigue, health complaints or difficulties in maintaining performance. Preventing these problems requires a closer examination of the working conditions that produce them.

Ergonomics examines how people, tasks, technologies, the working environment and organisational arrangements interact. Psychosocial hazards often arise from these interactions. Excessive time pressure, for example, may result from unrealistic production targets, unreliable equipment, frequent interruptions or conflicting instructions. Several factors may be present at the same time, making it difficult to identify the causes of the problem without examining how work is performed.

Job descriptions, procedures and organisational charts rarely provide a complete account of everyday work. Employees have to deal with unexpected situations, changing priorities, missing information and limitations of the equipment or systems they use. They develop ways of keeping work going despite these difficulties. Such adaptations may be essential for achieving organisational objectives, but they can also increase workload and uncertainty, particularly when the additional effort remains invisible to management. Observation of work activities and discussions with employees can reveal these conditions and help explain why apparently reasonable work arrangements create difficulties in practice.

Workload assessment illustrates the contribution of ergonomic analysis. Counting tasks or measuring working time may provide useful information, but the demands placed on workers also depend on task complexity, interruptions, time constraints, available resources and the need to coordinate with others. The same workload may have very different consequences depending on the degree of control workers have over their activities and the support they receive. Identifying these differences helps determine whether preventive measures should address staffing, scheduling, procedures, equipment or the distribution of responsibilities.

Organisational and technological changes deserve similar attention. New information systems, automated processes and digital communication tools can reduce unnecessary work, but they can also increase cognitive demands, fragment activities or introduce new forms of monitoring and control. Problems frequently emerge when systems are introduced without sufficient consideration of actual work activities. Involving workers in design and implementation, testing solutions under realistic conditions and evaluating their use after introduction can reduce these difficulties. Ergonomic methods can be applied throughout this process, from the analysis of existing work to the assessment of proposed changes.

The identification of psychosocial hazards must lead to decisions about working conditions. Surveys and interviews can indicate where problems exist, but they do not necessarily explain their causes or identify suitable measures. Ergonomic work analysis can provide the additional information needed to develop interventions. Depending on the findings, these may include changes in task allocation, work processes, staffing arrangements, information systems, communication practices or the degree of autonomy available to workers. Their effectiveness needs to be checked after implementation, taking account of health, safety, performance and well-being.

The possibilities for prevention also depend on who has control over the conditions concerned. Employees may be able to adjust certain aspects of their own work, while decisions about workload, staffing, production targets or organisational structures usually belong to management. Measures directed at individual workers have limited value when the source of harmful exposure remains unchanged. Ergonomic analysis should therefore identify the relevant decision-makers alongside the hazards themselves, so that recommendations can be translated into organisational action.

Psychosocial risk prevention involves several professional groups. Occupational safety and health professionals support the identification and assessment of risks and the organisation of preventive activities. Ergonomists contribute methods for analysing work systems, understanding the demands of actual work and designing improvements. Managers are responsible for decisions affecting work organisation and resources, while workers provide essential knowledge of the conditions they experience. These contributions need to be coordinated, particularly when preventive measures require changes across organisational boundaries.

The Together for Mental Health at Work 2026–2028 campaign offers a common framework for addressing these issues across Europe. Ergonomics has much to contribute through its established methods of work analysis, human-centred design, participatory approaches and evaluation. Experience gained from workplace redesign, technological change and organisational development can also support the prevention of psychosocial risks.

FEES invites its member societies and ergonomics professionals to share practical examples of how ergonomic methods have been used to identify psychosocial hazards and improve working conditions. Cases that describe the initial problem, the analysis undertaken, the decisions made and the results achieved would be especially valuable. They can help demonstrate what ergonomics contributes to prevention and how this contribution can be integrated into occupational safety and health practice.

Healthy Workplaces by Design: The Role of Ergonomics in Preventing Work-Related Stress

Gyula Szabo Leave a comment

Health includes physical, mental and social well-being, as recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO). Mental health is an essential part of health, enabling people to cope with everyday challenges, work effectively and participate in society.

Work-related stress occurs when job demands exceed a person’s ability or resources to cope with them. Prolonged or excessive stress can harm physical and mental health, affecting well-being, safety and work performance.

Working conditions, job design and organisational practices play an important role in protecting mental health. Prevention starts with identifying and reducing workplace stressors at their source.

How can ergonomics contribute?

Ergonomics helps create work systems that support human health, safety and performance. Three complementary areas offer practical opportunities for preventing work-related stress:

  • Physical ergonomics: Improving workplace layout, lighting, noise conditions, equipment and physical workloads to reduce unnecessary strain and discomfort.
  • Cognitive ergonomics: Managing mental workload, reducing interruptions and information overload, and designing clear instructions, intuitive interfaces and effective human–technology interactions.
  • Organisational ergonomics: Improving workload distribution, work schedules, role clarity, communication, employee participation and organisational support.

These approaches help organisations address psychosocial hazards through better work design and management. Risk assessment, worker participation and continuous improvement are essential elements of effective prevention.

Individual stress management and mental health support provide valuable additional protection.

Five resources for practical action

1. EU-OSHA – Healthy Workplaces Campaign 2026–2028

Together for mental health at work

European campaign materials, practical guidance and tools for psychosocial risk prevention.

2. UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

Working Minds – Preventing Work-Related Stress

Practical guidance, stress risk assessment tools and resources for workplace action.

3. International Labour Organization (ILO)

The Psychosocial Working Environment: Global Developments and Pathways for Action

A 2026 report examining psychosocial hazards, work organisation and preventive approaches.

4. World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO Guidelines on Mental Health at Work

Evidence-based recommendations for organisational interventions and workplace mental health protection.

5. International Stress Management Association (ISMA)

International Stress Awareness Week 2026

Campaign information, awareness materials and resources supporting stress prevention and well-being.

Prevention through better work design

Effective prevention requires understanding how work is actually performed, identifying sources of unnecessary pressure and involving workers in developing improvements.

The ergonomic principle is clear: Design work to fit people.

Better work design contributes to healthier employees, safer workplaces and more sustainable organisations.

This post on work-related stress prevention was prepared with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy and source reliability.

Ergonomics for Mental Health at Work: From Awareness to Prevention

Gyula Szabo Leave a comment

FEES welcomes the launch of the EU-OSHA Healthy Workplaces Campaign 2026–2028

The Federation of European Ergonomics Societies (FEES) welcomes the launch of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) campaign Together for Mental Health at Work (2026–2028). The campaign provides an important opportunity to strengthen the prevention of psychosocial risks and promote healthier working conditions across Europe.

Mental health at work is closely linked to how work is designed, organised and managed. Excessive workloads, conflicting demands, limited control over work, inadequate support, and poorly managed organisational changes can create psychosocial risks with consequences for workers’ health, safety and performance.

Ergonomics and human factors have an important role in addressing these challenges. By examining the interactions between people, tasks, technologies, working environments and organisations, ergonomics helps identify the conditions that create psychosocial risks and develop practical improvements.

Organisational ergonomics is particularly relevant. It can support better workload management, clearer responsibilities, appropriate working time arrangements, effective communication, employee participation and supportive organisational practices.

The established principles of occupational risk prevention also apply to psychosocial risks: hazards should be identified, risks assessed, preventive measures implemented, and their effectiveness reviewed. Whenever possible, prevention should address the organisational sources of risk.

Professional ergonomists can contribute through work system analysis, participatory assessment, workplace design and the evaluation of organisational interventions.

FEES encourages its member societies and the European ergonomics community to actively support the campaign by sharing research, practical tools, good practices and examples of successful workplace improvements.

Healthy work starts with good work design. Ergonomics can help make it happen.

Further information

Ergonomics for Mental Health at Work

Gyula Szabo Leave a comment

The Federation of European Ergonomics Societies (FEES) is pleased to confirm its intention to continue its role as an official campaign partner in the upcoming European workplace campaign coordinated by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA).

For many years, FEES and its member societies have actively supported European initiatives that promote safer, healthier and more sustainable workplaces. In the forthcoming campaign cycle, FEES would again like to contribute to raising awareness and strengthening the understanding of ergonomics across Europe. Our goal is to help a wide audience recognise how ergonomics – and the expertise of professional ergonomists – can support organisations, workers and decision-makers in addressing emerging workplace challenges and improving working conditions.

As in previous campaigns, FEES aims to support the dissemination of knowledge, share good practices and highlight the value that ergonomics brings to workplaces across sectors. These activities are closely aligned with broader European efforts to improve occupational safety and health and to promote a proactive approach to workplace wellbeing.

To make this initiative successful, we invite the ergonomics community to participate actively in the campaign activities coordinated through FEES. The engagement of ergonomists, researchers, practitioners and educators will be essential to demonstrate how ergonomics can contribute to practical solutions and measurable improvements in working environments.

We also encourage all national ergonomics societies to establish or strengthen their cooperation with the EU-OSHA National Focal Points operating in their respective countries. Close collaboration at national level is an important step toward ensuring that ergonomic expertise is well represented within the broader occupational safety and health community.

Finally, we would very much welcome the views of our members and colleagues.

  • What do you think should be the key messages that the ergonomics community should communicate during this campaign?
  • Where do you see the strongest contribution of ergonomics and the ergonomist profession in relation to the campaign’s objectives?

We invite you to share your ideas and suggestions with FEES so that together we can shape a meaningful and impactful contribution to the upcoming European campaign.

Human and Machine: Ergonomics at the Centre of the AI Transition

Gyula Szabo Leave a comment

The Federation of European Ergonomics Societies (FEES) actively contributes to the work of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) within the framework of the European Campaign “Safe and Healthy Work in the Digital Age”, which focuses on the occupational safety and health challenges arising from digitalisation and emerging technologies.

Within this framework, FEES participated in the official EU-OSHA campaign summit, where Gyula Szabó, PhD, Professor at Óbuda University, Hungary, and representative of the Federation of European Ergonomics Societies, delivered the presentation entitled “Human and Machine”.

The presentation was part of Parallel Session 3: “OSH as a driver of safe and healthy digital technologies for work”, chaired by Dietmar Elsler and Annick Starren, Senior Research Project Managers at EU-OSHA.
The session brought together experts from industry, research, and policy, including:

  • Regine Mägerlein, Head of Global Environment, Health and Safety, ZF Lifetec
  • Beatrice Aelterman, Head of Global Occupational Health and Safety, Boehringer Ingelheim
  • Moritz Schneider, Senior Specialist for AI and Software Architecture, German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), and the Partnership for European Research in Occupational Safety and Health (PEROSH)
  • Gyula Szabó, PhD, Professor at Óbuda University and representative of the Federation of European Ergonomics Societies

The presentation addressed the profound changes brought by artificial intelligence in the field of digital occupational safety and health. AI is no longer merely a supporting technology. It introduces autonomous decision-making, learning systems, and continuous data-driven feedback into everyday work processes. These developments fundamentally reshape human–system interaction and raise new questions related to control, responsibility, trust, and well-being at work.

https://summit2025.healthy-workplaces.eu/videoteca/osh-as-a-driver-of-safe-and-healthy-digital-technologies-for-work

From an ergonomics and human factors perspective, artificial intelligence represents a new but logically connected application domain. The primary goal of ergonomics has always been to optimise the interaction between humans and systems. With the emergence of AI, this interaction becomes more complex, as cognitive load, transparency, predictability, and human oversight gain increasing importance. Consequently, ergonomics and human factors play a central role in the AI transition.

European regulation clearly reflects this approach. Key principles of the EU AI Act, such as human oversight, transparency, explainability, predictability, and safety, strongly overlap with long-established ergonomic and user-centred design principles. These requirements are not abstract legal concepts, but practical criteria that directly influence worker safety, mental health, and acceptance of AI-based systems.

The presentation also highlighted emerging psychosocial risks linked to AI-supported work. Continuous monitoring, automated evaluation, and blurred human–machine boundaries may increase mental strain, stress, and feelings of loss of control if not properly addressed. AI can improve efficiency only if it does not reduce quality of life or undermine human autonomy.

A central message of the session was that users must not be treated as passive recipients of AI solutions. Human-centred and human-in-the-loop approaches are essential. Workers need to be involved throughout the development and implementation cycle, from design to everyday use and continuous improvement. Clarity, acceptability, safety, and learnability remain key criteria for sustainable AI systems.

The AI transition is therefore not only about smarter machines, but about better human–machine cooperation. Ergonomics and human factors provide the conceptual and practical foundation to ensure that AI-based solutions support people, rather than replace or overload them.

FEES is proud to have been actively involved in the EU-OSHA campaigns since the establishment of the campaign partner network. We consider it a privilege that successive campaign themes consistently highlight different application domains of ergonomics. The previous campaign, “Lighten the Load”, addressed the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders and manual handling risks, representing a classical and well-established field of physical ergonomics.

The current campaign, focusing on digitalisation and artificial intelligence, clearly brings ergonomics and human factors into the foreground from a new perspective, emphasising cognitive, organisational, and psychosocial aspects of work. Looking ahead, we anticipate the launch of the next campaign, which is expected to address mental workload and knowledge-based work. This emerging focus will further strengthen the role of cognitive ergonomics and human reliability, areas where ergonomics and human factors can make a decisive contribution.

We look forward to continuing our active involvement in future EU-OSHA campaigns and to representing the ergonomic perspective across these evolving challenges of work.

New EU-OSHA report on musculoskeletal risks in the health and social care sector

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Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) remain the most prevalent occupational health issue in the European health and social care sector, affecting millions of workers and contributing to absenteeism and reduced productivity. A new EU-OSHA report provides a comprehensive review of the main risk factors, including:

  • high workload and poor work organisation,
  • manual handling of patients,
  • repetitive movements and awkward postures,
  • inadequate ergonomic design and equipment,
  • lack of tailored training,
  • age-related challenges, and
  • psychosocial risks such as violence and harassment.

The report highlights that prevention requires ergonomic workplace design, participatory approaches, safe patient-handling programmes, targeted training, and organisational support. Special attention is needed for older, female, and migrant workers, who are disproportionately affected.

The publication also offers policy pointers to strengthen prevention, training, and support measures at workplace and EU level.

🔗 Read the summary here: EU-OSHA publication

Ergonomics and Human Factors at the Centre of the Digital Transformation

Gyula Szabo Leave a comment

As an official partner of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), the Federation of European Ergonomics Societies (FEES) proudly supports the 2023–2025 Healthy Workplaces Campaign: Safe and healthy work in the digital age. This initiative highlights the growing role of smart digital systems in improving occupational safety and health (OSH) across Europe.

From an ergonomics and human factors perspective, smart digital technologies—such as wearable devices, sensor networks, AI-driven analytics, and virtual reality training platforms—have significant potential to enhance workplace safety, health, and well-being. These tools enable early identification of ergonomic risks, provide real-time data on physical strain and environmental hazards, and support timely interventions. They are especially valuable in high-risk industries and for vulnerable worker groups, including older employees and those with specific health conditions.

However, digital systems must be implemented according to user-centred design principles to be practical and ethically sound. FEES stresses the importance of involving workers and their representatives in designing, deploying, and monitoring these technologies. Transparent communication, responsible data management, and training are essential to building trust and acceptance. When workers understand and influence digital tools, safety, satisfaction, and engagement improve significantly.

At the same time, we must remain vigilant about the challenges posed by digitalisation. Over-reliance on automation, excessive monitoring, lack of usability, and insufficient training can lead to new psychosocial risks such as stress, cognitive overload, and mental fatigue. Smart systems should always complement, not replace, traditional OSH strategies like ergonomic workplace design, inclusive organisational policies, and direct human support.

As FEES, we advocate for integrating digital innovation with ergonomic principles to create safe, inclusive, and sustainable workplaces. We call on our member societies, researchers, practitioners, and partners to actively contribute to this campaign by sharing knowledge, good practices, and critical reflections on the human-centred use of smart technologies in OSH.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Workplace Safety and Health

Gyula Szabo Leave a comment

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping workplace safety and health, presenting challenges and opportunities in an increasingly digital world. Witnessing the shared commitment to exploring these evolving issues is encouraging, particularly as AI-driven worker management systems become more prevalent across various industries.

Understanding AI-Based Worker Management Systems

AI-based worker management systems are digital tools that collect and analyze vast amounts of data from various sources, such as PCs, mobile devices, and workplace sensors. These systems can be categorized into two main types:

  1. Automated Decision-Making Systems – These systems operate independently, making decisions without human intervention. While they enhance efficiency, their implementation requires careful consideration to ensure fairness and compliance with labour regulations.
  2. Semi-Automated Systems – In these systems, AI-generated recommendations are reviewed by human managers before final decisions are made. This approach allows for a balance between automation and human oversight.

These technologies are used in various applications, including:

  • Labor Forecasting – AI predicts workforce needs based on customer demand and weather conditions, optimizing shift schedules.
  • Performance Evaluation – AI assesses worker efficiency by tracking task completion times and other productivity metrics.
  • HR Management Support – AI assists in recruitment, training, and workforce allocation to enhance operational efficiency.

Adoption and Impact in the EU

The facts from EU-OSHA show the adoption of AI-driven worker management systems across the European Union. Key findings indicate:

  • While adoption is still relatively low, there is a growing trend, particularly in large companies managing extensive workforces.
  • These systems are predominantly used in industries involving manual and repetitive tasks, such as warehousing, professional cleaning, healthcare, banking, and call centres.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated the deployment of AI-based worker management technologies, with a sharp increase observed in 2020.

Worker Perspectives and Health Implications

While AI-driven systems enhance efficiency, they also raise concerns related to:

  • Job Security – Automation may lead to workforce reductions in specific sectors.
  • Workplace Stress – Continuous monitoring and performance tracking can increase pressure on employees.
  • Data Privacy – The extensive use of personal and professional data necessitates stringent privacy regulations.

Moving Forward

As AI continues integrating into workplace management, it is crucial to balance technological advancement and worker well-being. Policymakers, employers, and researchers must collaborate to ensure that AI-driven systems enhance productivity while safeguarding employee rights and health. Ongoing research and discussions, such as this campaign, play a vital role in shaping the future of AI in workplace safety and health.

For more information on the campaign, visit the official EU OSHA page: Healthy Workplaces Campaign.

The Federation of European Ergonomics Societies (FEES) is a proud partner of the “Safe and Healthy Work in the Digital Age 2023-2025” EU OSHA campaign.

Safe and Healthy Work in the Digital Age: Adapting OSH for the Future

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Digitalisation is revolutionising the workplace, bringing opportunities and challenges requiring new ergonomics / human factors solutions to update occupational safety and health (OSH). With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), big data, collaborative robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), algorithms, digital labour platforms, and increased remote work, workers and employers face new risks and opportunities. The key to addressing these challenges lies in how these technologies are applied, managed, and regulated within current social, political, and economic contexts.

EU-OSHA’s Efforts and Campaigns

EU-OSHA’s Healthy Workplaces Campaign, “Safe and Healthy Work in the Digital Age” (2023-2025), aims to raise awareness about the implications of digital technologies on workplace safety and health. This campaign underscores the importance of a human-centred approach in designing, implementing, managing, and using these technologies to ensure they are safe and productive. The priority areas:

Advanced Robotics and Automation – Key Considerations for Human Interaction and Trust

According to the Agency’s recently published Policy Brief, “Advanced robotics and automation: Key considerations for human interaction and trust“, the growing autonomy in advanced robotic systems necessitates a shift in the terminology from ‘use’ to ‘interaction’ between humans and robots. The quality of this interaction significantly impacts occupational safety and health (OSH) factors. Various aspects of robotic interaction design, such as cognitive ergonomics, outward appearance, embodiment, robot behaviour, and communication styles, are linked to OSH risks and opportunities. The primary objective is facilitating smooth and natural interactions, enhancing well-being, acceptance, trust, and user experience while mitigating stress and other adverse outcomes.

Anthropomorphic Robot Design

  • Appearance and Behavior: Human-like features (e.g., eyes, facial expressions) can enhance natural interaction and acceptance, especially in social robotics. However, excessive human likeness may cause negative emotions due to the “uncanny valley” effect.
  • Expectation Management: Anthropomorphic features may lead to unrealistic expectations about a robot’s capabilities, potentially impacting task performance and safety. For example, workers might erroneously attribute visual or auditory perception to robots with eyes or ears.
  • Task-Relevant Design: In industrial settings, anthropomorphic movements can improve workflow and task accuracy but must be carefully designed to avoid misinterpretation and potential hazards.

Interaction Principles and Transparency

  • Design Principles: General ergonomic design principles, such as those in EN ISO 9241-110, apply to robotic systems, improving usability and user experience.
  • Cognitive and Sensorial Aid: With increasing robotic autonomy, interaction design must provide mental and sensory aids to prevent information overload and ensure effective decision-making.
  • System Transparency: Adequate transparency is crucial for users to understand robotic actions and intentions, fostering trust and reliability. However, too much information can overload and hinder critical information processing.

Trust in Human-Robot Interaction

  • Calibrated Trust: Appropriate trust in robotic systems is essential for effective collaboration. Over-reliance can lead to complacency, while insufficient trust can result in underutilisation. Trust must be calibrated to match the robot’s capabilities.
  • Influential Factors: Trust is influenced by human-related factors (e.g., user satisfaction, comfort), robot-related factors (e.g., reliability, anthropomorphism), and context-related factors (e.g., team collaboration task difficulty). Reliable and empathetic robots foster higher trust levels.

Risks and Recommendations

  • Privacy and Control: Collecting and analysing data for personalised interaction can raise privacy concerns and feelings of alienation. Ensuring transparency and adhering to data protection regulations is critical.
  • Training and Adaptation: Training on automation bias and system capabilities can mitigate trust miscalibrations. Continuous adaptation to user preferences and task requirements enhances interaction quality.

“Napo in… robots at work”

“Napo in… robots at work” animation provides an overview of safety considerations related to workplace robotics. The film outlines various emerging robotic technologies, associated accident types, key hazards, and control measures.

Production line workers face the highest risk, followed by maintenance workers. Most injuries result from poor workplace design and human error. Technological advances, such as fixed robots, collaborative and mobile robots, and exoskeletons, can enhance working conditions and introduce new hazards in manufacturing environments.

Join the Campaign

The Federation of the European Ergonomics Societies is one of the few EU-OSHA “Safe and Healthy Work in the Digital Age” campaign partners. Ergonomists have a crucial role in creating healthy workplaces and improving performance and user satisfaction.

Please learn more about ergonomics, human factors and occupational health in the digital age. Visit the campaign’s new “Automation of Tasks” Priority Area for more information, resources, materials, insights and practical tools to ensure safe and healthy work environments in the digital age.

Safe and healthy work in the digital age 2023-2025

Gyula Szabo Leave a comment

EU-OSHA launched the “Digitisation of Work” campaign in October 2023, and FEES is a proud partner of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. The Safe and Healthy Work in the Digital Age campaign focuses on the following topics:

  • Digital and platform work
  • Automation of tasks
  • Remote and hybrid work
  • Worker management through AI
  • Smart digital systems for OSH (Occupational Safety and Health)

Contact: Szabo Gyula, Bernard Michez

For more information, visit: https://healthy-workplaces.osha.europa.eu/en

The focal points will contact national ergonomics associations to solicit their participation and collaboration.

To support this initiative, we recommend:

  • Establishing a collaboration with the focal point of EU-OSHA.
  • Preparing a designated space on the society’s website for publishing campaign materials.
  • Considering the campaign theme and focus topics in your program planning for the campaign period.