“At a time when work is
rapidly changing, whether
through technological
innovation or types of
employment, there is
an urgent need to have
a more strategic view
on what research says
about the future of work
and risk, and how these
two issues are related.”
wellbeing programmes to help their employees gain skills
that will build their resilience and help them to cope in new
circumstances.
• Forward thinking education. New jobs in partially-
automated, remote or less secure workplaces may require
a greater variety of ‘soft skills’, including creativity,
leadership, flexibility and social skills, as well as skills
related to new technology and the ability to collaborate
with intelligent machines and robots. School and training
bodies should start developing such skills and this process
should continue beyond the compulsory education system.
Such training must teach employees how to look after
themselves, as well as how to take responsibility for their
own health, safety and wellbeing.
• Updating regulatory systems to protect modern workers.
In modern workplaces, where humans will work alongside
robots, and companies operate across borders, the answer
to the question of where ownership of risk lies, i.e. who
should take responsibility if something goes wrong, will
be of crucial importance. As employment contracts are
increasingly diffuse (people in the gig economy are often
not classified as workers), companies may wish to avoid
the costs of sickness absence or liability insurance. The
government should look at all measures to protect the self-
employed and gig workers.
• Understanding future risks. These fundamental changes
to work and the work environment present huge risks to
employers, employees, the economy and the environment.
For example, the fast pace of innovation, insecurity around
employment status and a drive for efficiency are putting
increasing pressure on people, which can lead to stress,
which people working remotely may not be able to handle,
particularly if they are older. The current understanding of
these risks is poor in places. The report, while identifying
the risks which have particular relevance to employee
health, safety and wellbeing, calls for further research into
this area.
Matthew Holder, Head of Campaigns at the British Safety
Council, said:
At a time when work is rapidly changing, whether
through technological innovation or types of employment,
there is an urgent need to have a more strategic view on
what research says about the future of work and risk, and
how these two issues are related. Future risk: Impact of
work on health, safety and wellbeing tells us that the state
of this research needs to improve if we are going to take
action to enhance people’s physical and mental wellbeing.
“I’m also pleased to see the report go beyond this ‘call
for more research’ and make concrete recommendations
how Government, regulators, businesses and the trade
unions, the educational system and organisations like the
British Safety Council can act today to prepare us to face
the risks of tomorrow.”
HSE INTERNATIONAL
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