Improving Compliance With Occupational Safety And Health Regulations: An Overarching European Review.pdf

Key Findings:

The review identifies several key challenges hindering compliance, including:

Changing work arrangements: The rise of the gig economy, remote work, and temporary employment create complexities in ensuring OSH protection for all workers.
Diverse national contexts: EU Member States have varying legal frameworks, cultural norms, and enforcement practices that impact compliance.
Lack of societal norms: Weak social pressure to adhere to safety standards can undermine voluntary compliance.
Economic incentives: Businesses may prioritize profit over worker safety if economic pressures are high.

Strategic Implications for Policy and Research:

The report proposes several strategies to enhance OSH compliance:

Strengthen regulatory leverage: Regulators should utilize a combination of enforcement, guidance, and education to encourage adherence to regulations.
Promote social norms: Encourage open dialogue about workplace safety, foster a culture of reporting incidents, and recognize best practices in OSH.
Develop economic incentives: Implement systems that reward safe workplaces and penalize non-compliance to create a stronger business case for OSH investments.
Leverage supply chain relationships: Engage with contractors, suppliers, and sub-contractors to ensure safety standards are met throughout the entire workforce.
Invest in prevention services: Enhance access to training, consultation, and other preventive measures to empower workers and employers to proactively manage risks.

Recommendations for Future Research:

The report identifies several key research questions requiring further investigation:

Exploring innovative approaches by OSH regulators
Understanding the impact of changing work arrangements on compliance
Investigating the role of social norms in promoting voluntary compliance
Evaluating the effectiveness of economic incentives and prevention services
Examining national contexts and their influence on compliance strategies.