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Perceptions, experiences and opportunities for occupational safety and health professionals arising out of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • David Gold

    (Gold-Knecht Associates)

  • Stuart Hughes

    (Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team)

  • David Thomas

    (Middlesex University)

Abstract

This study explored perceptions, experiences and opportunities for the occupational safety and health professional (OSHP) as a result of COVID-19. Using qualitative methods, interviews took place with OSHPs in two organisations to understand how their role developed during the pandemic. Additionally, seven focus groups were organised and met virtually, using the Zoom platform, each addressing a different topic identified by the researchers. Participants (n = 45) from 10 different countries were distributed among the focus groups. Topics were separated into four themes: impact on the workplace; the psychosocial dynamic; medical and health issues and occupational safety and health (OSH) issues. Results were subsequently divided into seven action categories and compared with the findings from the organisational interviews. Comparison pointed to an expanded role for the OSHP including business continuity, resilience and wellbeing in addition to assessing and controlling risks emerging during the pandemic. There is also the need for a means to adequately disseminate trustworthy information. Results indicated that there was no single ‘average’ role of the OSHP, demonstrating essential contributions as a member of the management team. Results also stressed that the pandemic carried three health-related co-morbidities, stress, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and burnout. Directions for future research included: the education of the OSHP to support a move away from compliance towards risk management; determining how mental health issues in organisations should be managed; expanded roles for OSHPs within business; and implications for professional bodies, membership institutions and academia in supporting the above-mentioned emerging roles.

Suggested Citation

  • David Gold & Stuart Hughes & David Thomas, 2021. "Perceptions, experiences and opportunities for occupational safety and health professionals arising out of the COVID-19 Pandemic," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 8(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:8:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-021-00955-y
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-021-00955-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dollard, Maureen F. & Neser, Daniel Y., 2013. "Worker health is good for the economy: Union density and psychosocial safety climate as determinants of country differences in worker health and productivity in 31 European countries," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 114-123.
    2. Liat Ayalon & Alison Chasteen & Manfred Diehl & Becca R Levy & Shevaun D Neupert & Klaus Rothermund & Clemens Tesch-Römer & Hans-Werner Wahl, 2021. "Aging in Times of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Avoiding Ageism and Fostering Intergenerational Solidarity," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 76(2), pages 49-52.
    3. Marco Bertoni, 2017. "Introducing Sustainability in Value Models to Support Design Decision Making: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-31, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. David Gold & Andrew Sharman & David Thomas, 2022. "Examining the role of the occupational safety and health professional in supporting the control of the risks of multiple psychosocial stressors generated during the COVID-19 pandemic," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Lavinia Denisia Cuc & Andrea Feher & Paul Nichita Cuc & Silviu Gabriel Szentesi & Dana Rad & Gavril Rad & Mioara Florina Pantea & Cosmin Silviu Raul Joldes, 2022. "A Parallel Mediation Analysis on the Effects of Pandemic Accentuated Occupational Stress on Hospitality Industry Staff Turnover Intentions in COVID-19 Context," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-20, September.

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