Emerging Risk

Addressing occupational risk in the 21st century

When countries go to war or enter a “space race” it is usually the country with the latest technology that prevails. The cutting-edge technologies that are developed for space exploration and for military purposes eventually find themselves in the industrial markets. Some of the biggest game-changing technologies were development outside the commercial sector; and policy makers were able to lean on highly regulated processes for direction on compliance. Some of these technologies include:

The above technologies were prototyped, tested and analysed over a period of time before being put into use. The analysis carried out by the likes of NASA, and global militaries allowed labour policy makers to “get the jump” on potential accidents and diseases. As the technology was being adopted and filtered into workplaces the legislation followed in an almost linear way. This was a result of the data and lessons-learned outside the traditional labour market. 

it is only the technically elite and the developers themselves who truly understand the technologies that are accelerating away from policy makers

What has now changed, thanks to mass innovation and market demand, is that new technologies are entering the market at rapid speed. Tech is arriving from private start-ups without the rigorous testing and understanding associated with traditional R&D. The rapid iteration process means that “new technology” is being swiftly replaced with more advanced versions within months. The depth of technological development is unprecedented. And it is only the technically elite and the developers themselves who truly understand the technologies that are accelerating away from policy makers. This has left compliance professionals two steps behind the law-makers. Given the changing landscape it is time that these industries develop their own strategies and approaches in order to remain effective and relevant.

The 21st century safety professional

Over the last 90 years legislation has been the lighthouse that has guided compliance managers in creating and sustaining safe places of work. High-level management systems such as ISO 45001 require that statutory compliance is achieved as a minimum within their frameworks. And meeting statutory demands has been the minimum benchmark and the architect of all types of safety management systems.  Given the technological changes afoot, this model is set to change. As was highlighted, the design to end-user loop is moving too fast, too often, and in exponential numbers. It is clear that the current OHS approach will be unable to meet much of the future challenges.

The key activities for an OHS professional will involve identifying and prioritising key risk areas of change – so that effective preventative actions can be in put in place.

Anticipating change

In many ways the future challenges of the OHS professional mirror that of the governments and policy makers. They will soon be tasked with anticipating and forecasting new risks for new technologies without the benefit of legislative guidance. The key activities for an OHS professional will involve identifying and prioritising key risk areas of change – so that effective preventative actions can be in put in place. These processes will likely involve:

• Coordinated forecasting exercises
• In depth technology reviews
• White papers on future changes i.e. A, B and C scenarios with corresponding contingencies

The above require a multidisciplinary approach which will necessitate buy-in and cooperation from several business departments.   These types of predictive methods have benefits over the traditional approach in that the objective is to pre-empt harmful negative effects. The labour market is not reacting to death, injury and ill-health in order to write effective risk management policy – it is setting out systems to prevent these events ever occurring. It is important to note that traditional risks will persist in most of the world and the older legislative model will likely remain relevant, in conjunction with newer approaches. 

Agility in the face of change

On foot of the technological paradigm shift, certain management methodologies like Agile have emerged within the commercial markets. Such systems help multidisciplinary team’s develop techniques to speed-up the traditional iteration process. This is done by opting for simplicity, embracing change, striving for continuous improvement, and getting the client exactly what they want in the shortest time-frame possible. In many instances it is the clients themselves who are designing their product via regular testing and feedback. The scope for regulators to stay ahead of such rapidly revolving systems seems impossible. However, there are lessons and answers for the health and safety profession within these types of agile management systems. 

Rising psychosocial risks at work

Another challenge facing OHS professionals is the rise of psychosocial risks such as work-related stress and mental health issues. A quote attributed to Albert Einstein rings true in the current times; “It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity”. The effects of digitalisation and emerging technologies on workers well-being will require greater attention and understanding. Smart devices and constant connectivity have resulted in a lack of personal freedom and leisure time. And this is affecting the mental well-being of the individual. The intense use of digital technologies is exacerbating existing workplace stress and mental health issues.

In the coming years mental health hazards will be factored into risk assessments and safety management system to curb the negative effects of digitalisation on the workforce. The emerging trends behind the prevalence of psychosocial risks include:

• Remote working
• Sedentary working
• Platform working
• Excessive working hours
• Work/life balance
• Job uncertainty
• Automation of occupations
• Constant upskilling

Given the way work is being reorganised and fragmented the balance between home life and work life is set to blur significantly. The attitude towards mental health issues at work (wherever work takes place) will require better cultural management to gain widespread acknowledgment and awareness. 

Sedentary work and chronic illness

The move to white-collar work form blue-collar work will present new workplace risk factors

The move from manual labour towards a largely sedentary workforce has seen a sharp rise in chronic illnesses. Screen time in both adults and children has resulted in an increase in rates of cardiovascular disease, obesity, MSDs and type 2 diabetes. These shifts in work are the result of economic changes. The move to white-collar work form blue-collar work will present new workplace risk factors. A shifting focus from “safety risks” towards “health risks” will require the 21^st century health and safety professional to collaborate in areas such as:

• Job, task, and equipment design
• Muscular-skeletal disorder (MSD) prevention
• Diet and exercise initiatives
• Health monitoring
• Therapeutic initiatives such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapies (CBT)
• Embracing new technology i.e. wearables, health applications, exoskeletons

Worker well-being

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) identifies “well-being” as a term that will encapsulate the multi-faceted approach to anticipating and prevent emerging risks. Well-being is a concept that relates to all the aspects of a working life including:

• Public health
• Environmental health
• Occupational health
• General well-being

The ILO states that the gap between these facets of health need to be bridged in order to protect each worker. The “well-being” of the worker and their attitude towards the work environment, the work climate, and how work is organised will be a key factor in determining success. In short, the health of the future worker will be heavily linked to the health of the organisation. If companies do not address the negative effects of digitalisation on the worker, it will invariably affect the company as well placing a huge burden on public health systems. 

Harnessing new technology for OHS

much of the OHS improvements over the previous decades were not the result of improved regulatory policies and regulation but were due to technological advances

The compliance sector can either master technology for its own ends, or solely focus on the threats, and get left behind. The future OHS Professional must embrace new technology at the service and benefit of occupational health and safety. The potential for health and safety gains through technological means is huge. In fact much of the OHS improvements over the previous decades were not the result of improved regulatory policies and regulation but were due to technological advances. Developments such as safer machinery, the use of robotics, better sensors, more effective PPE, improved communication, and better data has transformed industries that traditionally were rife with incidents and ill health.

The potential for health and safety gains through technological means is huge

It will take a balanced approach to ensure that the benefits of technology are weighed against the unforeseen risks. This this will take research, investigation, and anticipation of the unforeseen on behalf of the OHS professional. It will also require a level of autonomy, and confidence to move away from legislative guidance.  Emerging technologies preempted many of the risk regulations we use today. Seatbelts, traffic lights, exhaust ventilation and laser shutoffs were once novel ideas until their application was “sold” to industry and eventually written into various laws.

And whilst it has always been preferable for risk professionals to be involved in the planning and procurement stages it is fast becoming a necessity. Those involved in occupational and public risk must shift their attention to the emergence of technologies and new work practices to avoid being reactive. Waiting for regulations and government guidance is now a place of weakness for the risk professional and for the entities they represent.

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