Occupational Risk Management Through the Lens of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): An Integrated Approach to Promoting Sustainability in the Workplace

Abstract

This study explores the link between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the process of identifying and assessing occupational risks in industrial and organizational environments, highlighting the importance of these goals in promoting a safe, healthy, and sustainable work environment. In the center of this analysis are SDG 3 (“Good Health and Well-Being”) and SDG 8 (“Decent Work and Economic Growth”), which highlight the need to create working conditions that prioritize the safety of workers. The study analyzes the correlation between the implementation of these global objectives and occupational risk management processes. Research results indicate that linking the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to these processes reduces the incidence of accidents and occupational diseases and also contributes to the achievement of global sustainability goals. An integrated approach improves the resilience of organizations, promotes equity in the professional environment, and supports sustainable economic development. The findings of the study offer important insights for policymakers, managers, and researchers, indicating that adopting a common framework for sustainability and occupational safety can bring significant benefits at local and global levels. Thus, the research encourages the widespread application of this integrative model in organizational policies and practices.

1. Introduction

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established in the context of “The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” [1] adopted by the United Nations in 2015, constitute a global agenda aimed at achieving economic prosperity, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability by 2030 [2].

The 17 goals are interconnected and aim to address the key challenges facing the modern world. These goals reflect the commitment of the international community to promote equitable, sustainable, and inclusive development for all. The goals address a wide range of critical issues: eradicating poverty and hunger, reducing inequalities, ensuring universal access to quality education and health, combating climate change, promoting peace and justice, and protecting terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

In essence, these goals provide a coherent and integrated framework for guiding national and international efforts toward sustainable development. These have become increasingly relevant for various fields of activity, including industrial and organizational environments. Among these goals, SDG 3 (“Good Health and Well-Being”), SDG 8 (“Decent Work and Economic Growth”), and SDG 12 (“Responsible Consumption and Production”) are directly correlated with aspects related to occupational health and safety and occupational risk management.

A key challenge in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals is incorporating sustainable development principles into organizational policies and practices, particularly in the identification and assessment of occupational risks.

The identification and assessment of occupational risks are fundamental pillars of occupational health and safety management. These processes are designed to ensure employee safety but also contribute to optimizing organizational activities by reducing costs associated with incidents and work accidents, as well as by increasing employee productivity and satisfaction. However, the dynamics of modern industrial environments and the increasing demands for sustainability indicate a need to reassess how these risks are managed [3,4]. Occupational risk management involves a systematic process of identifying, assessing, and controlling hazards in the workplace, with the aim of protecting workers’ health and reducing negative impacts on the environment. This process is fundamental to creating safe and sustainable working conditions, thereby contributing to the achievement of the relevant SDGs.

Integrating occupational risk management into broader sustainable development strategies is an essential step toward ensuring safe and resilient working environments. Identifying and controlling risks contributes to reducing occupational accidents, improving working conditions, and, implicitly, increasing economic productivity, thus supporting the achievement of global goals, such as “Good Health and Well-Being” (SDG 3) or “Decent Work and Economic Growth” (SDG 8) [5,6,7,8,9].

This study aims to investigate the relationship between achieving specific targets included in the Sustainable Development Goals and the processes of identifying and assessing occupational risks. The following aspects will be highlighted:

• How to harmonize the process of identifying and assessing occupational risks by adopting measures that support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within organizations, also highlighting their impact on risk management strategies;
• Proposing a set of environmental, social, and economic indicators that are relevant for assessing the sustainability of organizations;
• How the integration of these perspectives can contribute to ensuring safer and more sustainable working environments, as well as to identify possible challenges in this context.

To ensure a clear understanding of the subject, this study was structured as follows:

• Section 2 includes an exposition of the research methodology used, namely the method of selecting the documents included in the study, as well as the identification of the keywords that appear most frequently in the selected publications;
• Section 3 and Section 4 include the analysis and interpretation of the results obtained from the collected data;
• In the final section, the conclusions drawn from this study were presented, along with the identified limitations, both general to the field and specific to our approach. Future research directions that could significantly contribute to deepening knowledge in this area are also offered.

2. Materials and Methods

In order to identify the most relevant information on the analyzed topic, “occupational risk management to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”, an analysis of the relevant scientific studies was carried out, including good practice guides issued by institutions such as the “International Labour Organization” (ILO) and the “World Health Organization” (WHO). A bibliometric statistical analysis of the specialized literature (articles, scientific publications, book chapters, etc.) was also performed, using the Web of Science Core Collection database. This quantitative analysis facilitated the synthesis of the large amount of existing information to identify research trends, but at the same time, it also helped to identify the future direction of the research.

To refine the search results, a series of criteria were applied to select documents—Figure 1:

• Search for selected keywords, in all fields, according to the following criteria: “sustainable development goals” OR “SDGs”
  AND
  “safety” OR “occupational health” OR “occupational safety” OR “health and safety” OR “safety and health”
• Document type: articles, conference papers, book chapters, review, open access;
• Search period: 2003–2024;
• Document publication language: English.

After applying this selection, 771 documents were identified.

The selection process then included an initial analysis of the title and abstract, selecting a number of 28 documents for which a detailed analysis of the full text was carried out.

The documents/publications selected in the “Web of Science Core Collection” database have been exported in “Plain text file” format and subsequently analyzed using the VOSviewer software tool version 1.6.18, a frequently used tool for visualizing information about publications, building and visualizing networks of occurrence of relevant terms in publications (keywords), building and analyzing bibliometric networks (including co-author networks, citation networks, co-appearance networks), and analyzing the journal’s sources.

After analyzing the selection obtained, the following aspects can be observed:

• The number of documents/publications and citations has increased greatly in recent years, indicating a constant, exponential growth trend (from one publication in 2014 to 173 publications in 2024)—Figure 2;
• The presentation of scientific research results was most frequently achieved through articles (610 publications), review articles (143 publications), or conference papers (19 publications);
• The most productive and influential countries/regions in terms of the number of publications are England (110 publications), followed by the People’s Republic of China (97 publications), the USA (94 publications), Australia (68 publications), and India (60 publications)—Figure 3;
• The journal, Environmental Sciences, published the largest number of articles in this field (240 articles), while Green Sustainable Science Technology has the second largest number of articles published in this category (147 articles), followed by Environmental Studies (143 articles) and Public Environmental Occupational Health (98 articles);
• The networks of occurrence of relevant terms in publications (keywords) also allowed a visualization of the connection between them—Figure 4. To carry out this analysis, the option of identifying those keywords that appear at least 10 times was selected. The most frequently identified keywords were as follows: “Sustainable Development Goals” (130 occurrences), “sustainability” (86 occurrences), “safety” (58 occurrences), “management” (45 occurrences), “impact” (44 occurrences), etc.;

These frequently identified words in the selected publications, such as “Sustainable Development Goals”, “sustainability”, “safety”, “management”, “impact”, etc., highlight the major research directions and indicate the relevance of this study in the existing context. These words also reflect the essential concepts that define the interaction between occupational risk management and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Identifying these keywords provides a clear perspective on the main concerns in the field. The next stage of keyword/concept analysis highlights the most frequently investigated aspects, thus contributing to a deeper understanding of the field.

General Concepts

(a)

“Sustainable Development Goals” concept

The concept of “Sustainable Development Goals” (SDG) appears most frequently in the selected publications (130 occurrences) due to the interconnection between occupational health and safety and global sustainable development objectives—Figure 5.

The Sustainable Development Goals act as a global framework for transforming the world into a fairer, more prosperous, and more resilient place, emphasizing the balance between the economic, social, and environmental aspects of development.

The Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG 3 (“Good Health and Well-Being”), SDG 8 (“Decent Work and Economic Growth”), and SDG 12 (“Responsible Consumption and Production”), encourage the establishment of a safe and sustainable working environment, underlining the importance of protecting employee health and responsible resource management [2].

Harmonizing the process of identifying and assessing occupational risks with the goal of supporting sustainable development demonstrates a holistic approach that extends the traditional objectives of compliance with legal provisions toward achieving sustainable economic and social development [8]. Thus, frequent references to the Sustainable Development Goals highlight the essential role of employee health and safety in realizing sustainable development, thereby contributing to reducing negative environmental impacts, increasing organizational resilience, and strengthening global well-being [3,7,9].

(b)

“Sustainability” concept

The concept of “sustainability” also appears in publications very frequently associated with the other relevant terms identified (86 occurrences)—Figure 6.

The most commonly used definition of the concept of sustainability is that provided by the “World Commission on Environment and Development” (United Nation): “Humanity has the ability to make development sustainable to ensure that it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” [10]. Occupational risk assessment contributes to achieving sustainability objectives by promoting employee health and safety (in accordance with SDG 3), creating decent working conditions (SDG 8), and reducing environmental impact (SDG 12, SDG 13, SDG 6, SDG 14, and SDG 15).

Existing studies [6,7,11] have highlighted that sustainability is not only an ethical principle but also a strategic imperative necessary for the effective management of occupational risks, promoting organizational resilience, reducing long-term costs, and increasing competitiveness.

(c)

“Safety” concept

Workplace safety is an indicator of the sustainable development of organizations and social well-being [5], being an essential component for achieving SDG 3 (“Good Health and Well-Being”) and SDG 8 (“Decent Work and Economic Growth”).

Safety is closely linked to sustainability through the following: preventing accidents and occupational diseases; increasing the productivity and competitiveness of organizations; ensuring a safe and healthy working environment [11,12]; reducing the impact on the environment by implementing safe and sustainable processes, in accordance with SDG 12 (“Responsible Consumption and Production”).

The frequent appearance of the concept of “safety” indicates recognition of its importance as a pillar of sustainability, contributing to equitable economic development and improving working conditions in line with global priorities [3,6]—Figure 7.

(d)

“Management” concept

Modern occupational risk management facilitates the integration of key sustainable development principles, thereby aiding in the accomplishment of the Sustainable Development Goals [13,14].

The importance of management also arises from the following: strategic planning of risks by identifying, assessing, and managing them [6,15]; promoting a proactive organizational culture that prioritizes employee well-being, health, and safety [5,8,16,17,18]; continuous monitoring and adaptation of processes to respond to economic, social, and environmental challenges in a sustainable way.

Thus, management is an essential element for harmonizing occupational safety objectives with those of sustainable development, therefore supporting the establishment of a resilient and responsible work environment, both from a human perspective and from a global sustainability perspective [6]—Figure 8.

(e)

“Impact” concept

The concept of “impact” is frequently used in publications due to the need to understand and manage the multiple effects of risks on workers, organizations, and the environment—Figure 9.

The importance of this concept of “impact” derives from several directions:

• Analysis of the consequences of occupational risks on workers and organizations, e.g., decreased productivity, increased health costs, etc.;
• Assessment of the environmental effects of using unsafe work processes or unsustainable work practices;
• Developing preventive policies and measures based on identifying the negative impacts and potential benefits of interventions [15].

Thus, the frequent use of the term “impact” emphasizes the importance of a rigorous assessment of occupational risks, not only as a prevention tool but also as a means of supporting sustainable development that improves the health and safety of workers and the sustainability of organizations in the long term [3].

3. Results

Incorporating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into organizational practices (policies, procedures, strategies used by an organization, etc.) represents an emerging strategy oriented toward strengthening more sustainable work systems.

The findings of this study, which adopts a theoretical approach, indicated that adopting a framework based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—such as SDG 3 (“Good Health and Well-Being”), SDG 8 (“Decent Work and Economic Growth”), and SDG 12 (“Responsible Consumption and Production”)—supports the global sustainable development goals but also provides a strategic framework for preventing accidents and promoting a culture of safety in the workplace [4,8]. Rantanen et al., highlighted in their study that “the health and safety of workers and their work capacity, competence, qualification and participation in work are key factors in the socioeconomic development and sustainability of each country” [19].

Sustainable Development Goal 3 (“Good Health and Well-Being”), which seeks to ensure healthy lives and enhance well-being for everyone [20], plays an essential role in the context of occupational risk management. Organizations that integrate SDG 3 into their development strategies have demonstrated significant progress in reducing work-related accidents and illnesses by implementing effective measures to prevent and protect employee health.

Sustainable Development Goal 8 (“Decent Work and Economic Growth”) emphasizes the promotion of sustainable economic growth, ensuring decent working conditions and high productivity, also having a significant impact on risk management at the organizational level. In the context of this objective, organizations that adopt sound principles of decent work and integrate these values into their occupational risk assessment and management process contribute not only to improving working conditions but also to building an organizational culture based on safety and respect for employees’ rights [19]. Implementing the principles of SDG 8 involves a detailed process that includes several essential steps, aiming not only to prevent risks but also to create a sustainable, fair, and safe working environment.

Table 1. Adapting the occupational risk management process to contribute to the accomplishment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Risk Management Process Stage	SDG	Measure Adopted/Proposed	Impact on Risk Management Strategy	Source
Identification of occupational risks	SDG 3	Rigorous identification of all risk factors: physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, psychosocial, etc.	Reducing the number of accidents and occupational illnesses	[6,15]
	SDG 3	Identifying risks associated with digitalization, automation, and robotization of workplaces.	Reducing the number of accidents and occupational illnesses	[7,21,22]
	SDG 8	Identifying risks related to employee rights, working conditions, and pay equity (identifying any forms of discrimination or harassment but also possible problems related to unsafe or inadequate working conditions).	Compliance with international standards	[19,23]
	SDG 4	Creating an organizational environment where employees feel encouraged to report risks.	Increase in the number of reports of minor incidents	[8]
	SDG 4	Implementation of continuous training/retraining programs for employees in the field of occupational safety.	Improving employees’ ability to identify emerging risks	[8,16,24]
Occupational risk assessment		Assessing occupational risks not only from the perspective of the impact on employees but also on their families and communities.	Promoting an approach focused on prevention, sustainability, and social responsibility	[24]
	SDG 3 SDG 8	Assessment of psychosocial risks (stress, overwork, work intensification, discrimination, lack of balance between personal and professional life, etc.).	Reducing the number of accidents and occupational illnesses; increasing employee satisfaction and motivation	[4,5,24]
	SDG 8	Assessing the impact of working conditions on employee productivity and motivation.	The correlation between decent work and organizational performance	[15]
	SDG 3	Establishing a collection of criteria and metrics to help quantify risks (e.g., by analyzing data on previous accidents/incidents; by analyzing the cause of absenteeism (due to illness or injury)).	Improving the decision-making process; identifying risks before they materialize; prioritizing major risks and implementing effective solutions	[7]
	SDG 8	Analyzing the long-term costs associated with occupational risks (e.g., economic losses caused by absenteeism, disability pensions, etc.).	Reducing financial losses	[19]
	SDG 6 SDG 7 SDG12	Evaluation of the consumption of natural resources (water, energy) and the amount of hazardous waste generated.	Reducing the risk of exposure to toxic waste	[7]
	SDG 9	Using virtual reality and digital simulations to develop risk scenarios and test prevention measures in a controlled environment.	Identifying risks, dangerous situations; reducing accidents	[7,25]
	SDG 9	Using Cloud, IoT, and AI algorithms to obtain and analyze data on previous incidents, to predict future risks, etc.	Identification of equipment operating anomalies; prevention of major accidents	[7,21,26,27]
	SDG 9	Implementing integrated systems for risk monitoring, assessment, and reporting.	Reducing the time allocated to the evaluation process	[7]
Occupational risk management		Implementing technical (e.g., incorporating sensory devices into the work environment) and organizational solutions to prevent risks associated with hazardous work environments.	Reducing the number of accidents and occupational illnesses	[7]
	SDG 3 SDG 8	Implementing policies aimed at reducing occupational stress (e.g., making work schedules more flexible, implementing psychological and emotional support programs, etc.).	Decrease in burnout cases; increase in employee satisfaction, motivation, and well-being	[4,8]
	SDG 3 SDG 8	Implementing programs to monitor employee health (advanced health tracking systems, digital health platforms, etc.).	Early identification of health problems	[4,8,9,19]
		Implementing measures to reduce ergonomic risks.	Reducing the number of accidents and occupational illnesses	[4,19,28]
	SDG 3 SDG 8	Implementing employee training and awareness programs (training employees on risks and established preventive measures).	Risk prevention; reducing the number of accidents and occupational illnesses	[8]
	SDG 8	Establishing a clear policy on employee rights and ensuring working conditions that respect their dignity (ensuring fair wages, a flexible work schedule, measures to prevent risks related to professional fatigue or discrimination, etc.).	Reducing the risks associated with work accidents; Increasing employee satisfaction, motivation and productivity	[19,24]
Risk monitoring/ review of implemented measures	SDG17	Establishing partnerships between organizations and institutions to facilitate knowledge transfer in order to identify and implement effective solutions,	Development of reports, guides, standards, and standardized protocols for accident prevention	[5,13]
	SDG17	Developing innovative technologies through intersectoral collaborations.	Improving risk management	[11,24,29]
	SDG 3	Conducting periodic medical checks, awareness campaigns, periodic assessments of working conditions, and inspections and safety audits.	Identifying any significant changes in the evolution of risks; in the health status of employees	[6,8,16,24]
	SDG 8	Developing training programs and developing employee skills and competencies adapted to current requirements.	Reducing work accidents; increasing employee satisfaction; improving organizational performance	[8,16,30,31]

presents a summary of the results obtained by harmonizing the process of identifying and evaluating occupational risks, respectively, by adopting measures that support the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within organizations, while also emphasizing their impact on risk management strategies and alignment with sustainability principles.

As can be seen in Figure 10, the findings from the analysis of the specialized literature emphasized that aligning the process of identifying and evaluating occupational risks toward correlation with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) involves numerous benefits:

• Reduces occupational risks; reduces the incidence of accidents and occupational diseases [4,5,6,7,19];
• Improves operational efficiency, productivity, and optimizes resource utilization [7,32];
• Increases employee satisfaction and motivation [11];
• Supports sustainable economic development [3,5,8,19];
• Contributes directly to achieving global sustainability goals by improving labor standards [5,6,13,21], etc.

Figure 10. The connection between occupational risk management and the Sustainable Development Goals [33].

Figure 10. The connection between occupational risk management and the Sustainable Development Goals [33].

4. Discussion

The analysis of the results obtained highlighted the need for an integrated approach to assessing and improving organizational sustainability. In particular, it was found that the degree of alignment of the occupational risk identification and assessment process with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) cannot be effectively assessed without a clear measurement framework. Thus, it is essential to define a set of relevant indicators that integrate environmental, social, and economic indicators, indicators that must be specifically analyzed by each organization. This analysis aims to measure the degree to which the activities, programs, or policies implemented in an organization contribute to achieving the targets set within “The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.

These indicators would allow a more precise assessment of the impact of organizational activities on sustainability, while facilitating the implementation of occupational risk management strategies in line with the principles of sustainable development.

By integrating these dimensions, organizations can more clearly identify both challenges and opportunities for optimizing internal processes and actively contributing to achieving the SDGs.

Thus, based on the analysis of the specialized literature regarding sustainability assessment, a set of indicators was developed and proposed that includes specific indicators for the mentioned areas [15,16,24,34] within the framework of occupational health and safety requirements [3,6,28,29]—

Table 2. Environmental, social, and economic indicators—relevant for assessing the sustainability of organizations.

Proposed Indicator for Monitoring			SDG	SDG Target	Details
Environmental indicators	CO2 emissions	ppm	SDG 13	13.2	Assesses the environmental impact of the organization’s activities; facilitates the adoption of measures to decrease greenhouse gas emissions
	Energy consumption	kWh/year; % renewable energy	SDG 7	7.3	Reflects the efficiency of energy use; allows identification of opportunities for the transition to renewable sources
	Water consumption	m3/year	SDG 6	6.4	Indicates the efficiency of water resource use
	Waste generated	kg/year; % recycling	SDG 12	12.5	Reflects waste management and environmental impact, promoting sustainable practices within the organization
Social indicators	Workplace accident rate	no. of accidents/1000 employees; no. of accidents/100,000 h worked	SDG 8	8.8	It highlights the level of safety and the efficiency of risk prevention measures implemented within the organization
	Sickness (absenteeism) rate	no. of days of absence/employee/year	SDG 3	3.4	Reflects the health status of employees and the impact of working conditions on their safety
	Employee training and development	no. of training hours/employee/year; % of employees participating in training programs	SDG 4	4.4	Reflects the organization’s investments in human capital (e.g., degree of preparedness for risk identification and mitigation)
	Employee satisfaction	numerical score on a rating scale (usually 1–5 or 1–10)	SDG 8	8.5	Assesses employee perceptions of safety, well-being at work
	Employee involvement	numerical engagement score on a rating scale (usually 1–5 or 1–10); % of employees engaged (through project participation, suggestions for process improvement, or constructive feedback)	SDG 16	16.7	Evaluates employee involvement in decision-making processes, their participation in decision-making related to occupational health and safety policies
	Equal opportunities	% of employees from different groups (gender, age, ethnicity, disabilities, etc.); no. of promotions/demographic group; the ratio between men’s and women’s wages; % of employees benefiting from professional development programs, etc.	SDG 5	5.5	Evaluates the provision of fair conditions for all employees, regardless of gender, age, or disability
Economic indicators	External certifications and standards	no. of certifications; % of compliance with international standards; no. of internal/external audits performed, etc.	SDG 12	12.6	Evaluates the organization’s compliance with international sustainability standards
	Frequency of internal and external inspections/audits	no. of audits/year; no. of audits/no. of employees; no. of audits/department	SDG 8	8.8	Monitors the degree of compliance with legal and regulatory provisions
	Productivity/ employee	production units (products, services)/employee; income generated/employee; net profit/employee; no. of projects completed/employee, etc.	SDG 8	8.2	Measures the efficiency of operations and the contribution of each employee to the economic results of the organization
	Direct and indirect costs associated with incidents (includes expenses associated with medical treatment, absenteeism, and loss of productivity caused by accidents)	cost/employee; % of of the organization’s total budget, etc.	SDG 8	8.8	Evaluates the financial impact of occupational risks and the effectiveness of preventive measures adopted
	Investments in innovation	% of income allocated to research and development	SDG 9	9.5	Evaluates the degree of innovation and technological development of the organization
	Rate of return on investments in sustainability	% of return on investment—ROI	SDG 9	9.4	Evaluates the economic benefits resulting from investments in sustainable initiatives
	Rate of return on investment in employee safety	% of return on investment—ROI	SDG 9	9.4	Evaluates the financial efficiency of implemented safety measures

:

Each of these proposed indicators can be monitored using multiple units of measurement, depending on the type of data collected, the specific aspects for which the evaluation is desired, or the objectives of the evaluation.

This set of indicators creates an integrated monitoring system for assessing organizational sustainability. This approach implies a series of long-term advantages on organizational performance and in terms of the organization’s contribution to achieving the global agenda for sustainable development:

• Allows progress tracking, providing quantifiable, objective data that allow an understanding of the results obtained, as well as the identification of strengths and weaknesses in implementation;
• Allows for the targeting of resources and strategies to support the achievement of these current sustainable development requirements;
• Through the integration of environmental, social, and economic indicators, a holistic approach to sustainability is ensured, reflecting the interdependence between these three dimensions;
• Contributes to reducing occupational risks by implementing effective occupational health and safety policies.

These indicators need to be customized according to the specifics of each organization and field of activity. Their own goals and targets must be defined annually, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, to evaluate the organization’s long-term sustainability and to make more informed and responsible decisions.

The development by organizations of an integrated monitoring program that includes specific indicators for the mentioned fields, aligned with the targets set for sustainable development objectives, contributes to reducing professional risks, consolidating a safe work environment and favorable to long-term development—Figure 11:

Thus, this system represents an essential strategic tool for increasing the competitiveness and resilience of organizations.

5. Conclusions

This study highlighted the importance and benefits of aligning organizational occupational health and safety policies with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), underlining the positive impact of this approach on reducing occupational risks, improving working conditions, and promoting an organizational culture oriented toward sustainability, thus contributing to the well-being of society [8]. Thus:

• The analysis of the relationship between risk management processes and the achievement of specific targets under the SDGs demonstrates that risk prevention strategies not only protect the workforce but also contribute to economic and social sustainability. For example, effective occupational safety and health measures reduce the negative impact of occupational accidents and diseases on health systems, thus supporting the objectives of reducing inequalities and promoting general well-being;
• An integrated approach that combines sustainability principles with effective workplace risk management strategies can have a significant impact on reducing workplace accidents and promoting a responsible organizational climate. This approach involves proactive prevention policies, innovative technologies, and employee training strategies, all of which contribute to achieving a balance between economic development, social protection, and environmental protection;
• Establishing a clear framework for occupational risk management, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, is essential for creating safe and sustainable working environments. By effectively integrating these perspectives, balanced development can be ensured in which workers’ health and safety become fundamental priorities in achieving global sustainability goals.

The data collected highlighted that organizations that integrate Sustainable Development Goals manage to strike a balance between economic and social objectives, thus creating a safer and healthier working environment [11].

However, the process of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals in this area encounters considerable challenges: due to the lack of a unified framework for implementation, due to the limited resources of some organizations [8], or due to the different degree of awareness of the importance of sustainable development. Also, variations between industries and regions require a more detailed and personalized analysis, precisely to fully understand the impact of these measures.

Given the results of this study, a future research direction that could significantly contribute to deepening knowledge in this area would be to conduct studies on organizations from different industrial sectors that have integrated the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into their occupational health and safety policies. This analysis would allow the following:

• Understanding how the alignment of occupational health and safety policies with the SDGs has influenced organizational performance in terms of safety, efficiency, and sustainability;
• Identifying good practices and lessons learned from organizations that have successfully adopted this approach;
• Analyzing the challenges faced by organizations during the process of integrating the SDGs into workplace health and safety regulations;
• Proposing a methodological framework for a more effective implementation of the SDGs in the area of occupational health and safety.

This research proposal could provide a solid basis for supporting organizations in adopting effective and sustainable strategies, thus contributing to achieving the global Sustainable Development Goals and strengthening an organizational culture oriented toward employee well-being and social responsibility.