Health and Safety ReportVolume 23, Issue 06

The world of work is changing – and so are the risks. An updated survey conducted in 2024 of over 41,000 workplaces across 30 European countries reveals how employers are adapting to evolving health and safety challenges. In addition to providing a window into Europe’s workforce, the European Survey of Enterprises on New and Emerging Risks (ESENER) explores different aspects of occupational health and safety management, including worker participation, general approaches to risk assessment, and emerging topics such as psychosocial risks and digitalization. This survey has been conducted every five years by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) since 2009. 

With an increase in hybrid work across Europe, and technology accelerating change on the job, employers must address not only ergonomic hazards like repetitive movements and prolonged sitting, but also psychological hazards like time pressures, poor communication, and long or irregular working hours. 

For workplaces in Canada, ESENER results present practical insights that employers can use to address hazards and strengthen their own health and safety programs, such as integrating digital tools into risk assessments, offering mental health support, or involving workers in safety planning. 

Risk management varies 

According to the survey, 76 per cent of workplaces in the European Union regularly conduct risk assessments, but this varies widely by country and size. Larger organizations were more likely to perform assessments, while smaller businesses, especially those with fewer than 10 workers, tended not to.  Common reasons for not completing a risk assessment include a lack of major issues, the belief that hazards and risks are already known, insufficient expertise, and less frequently, thinking that the process is too burdensome. In more than half of the smallest workplaces (5-9 workers), safety is managed directly by the owner or site manager, not a health and safety specialist.  

When it comes to motivation, organizations often cite legal obligation, meeting worker expectations, avoiding fines, protecting their reputation, and boosting productivity as key drivers for conducting risk assessments. Workplaces in Canada can use these insights to reflect on their own practices and find opportunities to overcome barriers and emphasize the overall benefits of risk management.  

Psychosocial risk factors  

How workplaces address psychosocial risk factors, hazards that affect workers’ mental well-being, is another focus of this study. Work pressure, long hours, poor communication, and having to deal with difficult customers are some of the most frequently cited concerns, which many workplaces still struggle to address. Workplaces also reported that psychosocial risks are more difficult to manage than other health and safety hazards, with a lack of awareness, expertise, or support reported frequently.  

Efforts to prevent mental strain vary. Larger workplaces are more likely to offer training on conflict resolution, provide confidential counselling, or allow more flexible work arrangements. Meanwhile, many smaller workplaces allow workers to make more decisions on how to do their job as a primary control measure.  

Risks and opportunities of digitalization 

The use of digital technology continues to grow in European workplaces. Almost all organizations use computers or mobile devices, and an average of seven per cent of workplaces in the European Union use advanced tools like artificial intelligence (AI), performance-monitoring systems, and task-scheduling software. Only four per cent of surveyed workplaces reported using none of the digital technologies included in the questionnaire.  

These technologies offer potential for improved efficiency and flexibility, but they also introduce hazards. Increased work intensity, blurred boundaries between work and private life, and information overload are just some of the reported consequences. For example, 54 per cent of German companies using digital tools reported rising workloads, and 43 per cent of workplaces in Finland report working alone and isolated from colleagues. 

Worker participation in health and safety 

Worker participation is an important aspect of risk assessments and health and safety management. Workers provide helpful insights into identifying and suggesting control measures for workplace hazards. Just over half of the surveyed workplaces involve workers in designing measures to address psychosocial risk factors, which is a decline from the 2019 survey. It was expected that, due to the nature of psychosocial risk factors, that direct worker involvement and collaboration would be necessary. However, the findings do not align with that assumption.  

Participation varies from country to country, with some countries increasing involvement. Most worker representation comes from health and safety representatives, committees, work councils, and trade union representatives.  

What’s next 

As work evolves, so must the systems in place to protect workers. Employers must continue to focus on psychological health and safety and the potential impacts of digitalization in consultation with the workforce. Involving workers in identifying hazards and managing risks can help create safer workplaces for everyone.  

Looking ahead, EU-OSHA is planning new follow-up studies, including in-depth interviews with employers and workers, to better understand the challenges and help shape future guidance. A campaign on mental health at work is also scheduled for 2026. 

Resources  

• First findings of the Fourth European Survey of Enterprises on New and Emerging Risks, EU Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) 

For residential and commercial roofers, working at heights on sloped surfaces, sun and heat exposure, and physically demanding tasks using heavy tools are all part of the job. These hazards can lead to slips, trips, falls, heat stroke, and other workplace injuries, illnesses and even fatalities.

To help reduce the risk of injury, make sure to inspect and assess each jobsite before starting any roofing work. By conducting a thorough hazard and risk assessment, and applying the following guidance, you can protect your team.

• Inspect the roof before work starts. Ensure your jobsite is inspected by a qualified professional especially for buildings that may have structural issues. Also, look out for hazardous substances, like asbestos which may be present in the structure and would need to be removed using specific methods.
• Use fall protection measures. Train your workers on how to safely work at heights and have fall protection systems in place specific to your operation. Be sure to include an emergency rescue plan. Use guardrails if possible. If not, wear a full-body harness attached to a lifeline or lanyard, and use anchor points or tie-off points to support the fall protection equipment. Always inspect your fall protection equipment and anchorage points to ensure they are in good working order, and follow the legislation that applies to your project and jurisdiction.
• Practise good housekeeping. Make sure crew members know how to tie and tether their tools and equipment. This practise will help reduce the risk of items falling and striking someone below or creating tripping hazards on the jobsite. 
• Watch the weather.  Be ready to activate heat stress or cold stress protocols when needed, and have plans in place to protect workers from extreme working conditions and exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. High winds can cause material to become airborne. Stockpile material safely.
• Be prepared for emergencies. Have a plan explaining how workers can safely exit and enter the jobsite using well-secured ladders. Have trained first aid responders on the crew, as well as spill kits and fire extinguishers available on the site. Train workers on how to use them.
• Educate workers on workplace safety. Provide training on electrical safety, including how to use electrical cords and tools. Train workers on the proper use of other tools, such as nail guns, and ensure they are following the manufacturer’s instructions. Provide and review WHMIS training as needed, and review safety data sheets for products being used onsite. Identify hazardous products with occupational exposure limits and ensure you remain within acceptable ranges.
• Prevent ergonomic injuries. Roofing puts strain on workers’ backs, shoulders, and knees which can cause musculoskeletal injuries and disorders. Wherever possible, use mechanical aids such as lifts and hoists to move material. Educate workers on manual material handling and proper lifting techniques. Encourage them to lift in pairs or in teams. 
• Create a hot work and fire safety plan. Identify work that may pose a fire hazard, such as welding and torching. Inspect the area for flammable materials, keep fire extinguishers within reach, and have a fire watch person on hand.
• Select appropriate personal protective equipment. Ensure workers have the right, fit-tested protective equipment to perform their jobs safely. These items include fall protection equipment, hard hats, gloves, non-slip footwear, and face, eye, ear and respiratory protection. 

When addressing the various risks roofers face, consider the hierarchy of controls. This step-by-step approach can help you eliminate and reduce workplace hazards.

Resources

• Roofing – Residential Fact Sheet, CCOHS
• Fall Protection – Fall Protection Plan (General) Fact Sheet, CCOHS
• Fall Protection – Legislation Fact Sheet, CCOHS
• Fall Protection Plans for Working at Heights Infographic, CCOHS
• Working in the Heat Infographic, CCOHS
• Sun Safety in Canada Infographic, CCOHS
• Ladder Safety Infographic, CCOHS
• Working at Heights: An Introduction Course, CCOHS
• Roofing Safety Resources, Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA)

Every year, more than 30,000 young workers in Canada are injured at work.

Safety Starts at Home gives parents and guardians helpful tips and talking points to prepare young people for work and to stay involved, ensuring they come home safely at the end of each workday.

The new, free resource was developed in partnership with provincial and territorial departments of labour and occupational safety and health agencies.

To learn more, visit the CCOHS Young Workers Zone and download the infographic.

Our podcast episodes help you stay current and informed about workplace health, safety, and well-being in Canada.

Featured podast: Temps Up, Heads Up: How to Stay Safe While Working Outside  

As days get longer and temperatures rise, it’s great to be able to spend more time outside. But working outdoors in the summer comes with unique hazards. We take a look at what those hazards are, and how employers and workers can prepare. 

Listen to the podcast now.

Encore podcast: Protection from Pesky Summer Pests  

Unpleasant encounters with ticks and mosquitos can lead to diseases such as Lyme disease and West Nile virus. This podcast episode provides helpful information outdoor workers can use to protect themselves from these pesky summer pests. 

Listen to the podcast now.

Whether working under the sun or in hot indoor conditions, workers can be at serious risk from heat exposure. Our updated pocket guide can help you take action on working safely in the heat by developing safe practices and taking preventive measures. 

Working in Hot Environments  

Use this 108-page pocket guide as a practical resource for developing safe work practices to protect workers from extreme heat. Topics include conducting hazard assessments of heat exposure, identifying risk factors, and developing hazard controls, prevention programs and practices to reduce injury and illness. This guide is available in PDF and print.

Are you a woman pursuing a career in occupational health and safety, or do you know someone who is? Applications are open for the $3,000 Chad Bradley Scholarship. 

This scholarship is offered to women enrolled in either a full-time or part-time health and safety related program leading to an occupational health and safety certificate, diploma, or degree at an accredited college or university in Canada.  

The deadline to apply is August 31, 2025. Learn more about the scholarship and how to apply: www.ccohs.ca/scholarships/cbradley/.