We round up some of the latest research and reports relevant to OSH professionals.
Title: Inclusion at work 2022: benchmarking information and recommendations to support inclusive people practice
Published by: CIPD/Reed
Summary: Just 30% of employers say their leaders are completely committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce. This report provides an overview of what UK employers are doing to improve inclusion and diversity and the measures found to be effective. It makes seven recommendations to help people professionals re-energise their approach.
Read report at: bit.ly/CIPD-inclusion-at-work
Topic: Mental health
Title: Healthcare workers’ mental health in pandemic times: the predict role of psychosocial risks
Published by: Safety and Health at Work
Summary: This Portuguese study assessed psychosocial risk factors and mental health. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale was used, while psychosocial risks were assessed through the Health and Work Survey. The study concluded that support network development in the work environment is needed to prevent emotional stress and promote psychological wellbeing, and that more research is essential.
Read report at: bit.ly/SHW-pandemic-mental-health
Topic: Telework and wellbeing
Title: Telework quality and employee wellbeing: lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
Published by: New Technology, Work and Employment
Summary: This study identifies high- and low-quality telework profiles that show how demographic, occupational and procedural characteristics are associated with positive or negative experiences. It suggests organisations consider the quality of telework to adopt ways of working that foster wellbeing.
Read summary at: bit.ly/NTWE-telework-quality [Full report is available to subscribers.]
Topic: Returning to work
Title: Return to work for workers with post-COVID conditions
Published by: Safety and Health at Work
Summary: This editorial examines the issues people who have had COVID-19 face when returning to work and offers guidance. It considers difficulties in defining the disease and post-COVID conditions, risk factors for developing long COVID, how returning to work can be an effective rehabilitation tool, the need to conduct a clinical history and an appropriate medical examination, the multidisciplinary approach required, and possible mental health implications.
Read report at: bit.ly/SHW-RtW-post-Covid
Topic: Automation
Title: Occupational safety and health with technological developments in livestock farms: a literature review
Published by: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Summary: This US paper identifies new technology uses in agriculture. It found 624 articles on crops and harvesting and 80 on livestock farming related to robotics and automated systems. For livestock farming, most (78%) related to dairy farms, with 56% indicating they used robotics routinely. It showed gaps in how technology has been evaluated to show benefits or hazards to workers.
Read report at: bit.ly/IJERPH-agriculture-and-technology
