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Review
. 2019 Dec 6;16(24):4946.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph16244946.

Toward an Expanded Focus for Occupational Safety and Health: A Commentary

Paul A Schulte  1 , George Delclos  2 , Sarah A Felknor  1 , L Casey Chosewood  1
Affiliations
Review

Toward an Expanded Focus for Occupational Safety and Health: A Commentary

Paul A Schulte et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Powerful and ongoing changes in how people work, the workforce, and the workplace require a more holistic view of each of these. We argue that an expanded focus for occupational safety and health (OSH) is necessary to prepare for and respond rapidly to future changes in the world of work that will certainly challenge traditional OSH systems. The WHO Model for Action, various European efforts at well-being, and the Total Worker Health concept provide a foundation for addressing changes in the world of work. However, a paradigm expansion to include the recognition of worker and workforce well-being as an important outcome of OSH will be needed. It will also be vital to stimulate transdisciplinary efforts and find innovative ways to attract and train students into OSH professions as the paradigm expands. This will require active marketing of the OSH field as vibrant career choice, as a profession filled with meaningful, engaging responsibilities, and as a well-placed investment for industry and society. An expanded paradigm will result in the need for new disciplines and specialties in OSH, which may be useful in new market efforts to attract new professionals. Ultimately, to achieve worker and workforce well-being we must consider how to implement this expanded focus.

Keywords: future of work; systems thinking; well-being.

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Conflict of interest statement

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
An expanded focus for occupational safety and health (OSH).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Health burden within and between jobs.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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