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Promoting Health and Safety in the Workplace
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Promoting Health and Safety in the Workplace

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 6234

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Marta Regina Cezar-Vaz

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Nursing, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande 96203-900, Brazil
Interests: health promotion; risk perception; well-being at work; health socio-environmental; public health nursing; primary health care; work environment; occupational health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Clarice Alves Bonow

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Nursing, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas 96010-610, Brazil
Interests: occupational health; public health; health promotion; risk assessment; risk management; mental health; hazardous workers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Human activity in the labor market involves a diverse range of workers striving to enhance their quality of life at personal, family, and professional levels. Health promotion strategies are vital for creating healthy, safe, and sustainable work environments, which in turn foster workforce well-being.

Workplace conditions directly impact worker health and safety. Developing physical, organic, and socio-relational aspects is crucial for promoting health, safety, and well-being for both men and women. Key elements in this approach include safety, freedom of negotiation, equity, and dignity.

Promoting health in the workplace requires support from various sectors of society. This includes socio-political actions that ensure equal opportunities, physical and organic safety, and positive social relations in the workplace. Efforts to promote health and safety involve collective and individual interventions and labor negotiations, creating healthy environments, and preventing and controlling occupational accidents and diseases. Additionally, global policies should promote decent, sustainable, and healthy work for vulnerable occupational groups and uphold human rights in the workplace.

This Special Issue underscores the continuous importance of promoting health and safety in the workplace. Given the ongoing challenges, this topic requires sustained attention from the scientific community. Promoting these conditions benefits not only the workers but also their families, contributing to the overall collective well-being.

Prof. Dr. Marta Regina Cezar-Vaz
Prof. Dr. Clarice Alves Bonow
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • health promotion
  • workforce
  • individual and environmental occupational health
  • workplace well-being strategies
  • work–family balance
  • workplace safety
  • interventions
  • mental health
  • inter-relational conditions in the workplace
  • conditions of work-related illness

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 615 KiB  
Article
Need for Recovery and Work–Family Conflict in the Armed Forces: A Latent Profile Analysis of Job Demands and Resources
by Francesco Pace, Cristina Moavero, Giuditta Cusimano and Giulia Sciotto
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(5), 795; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22050795 - 18 May 2025
Viewed by 238
Abstract
Building on the Job Demands–Resources model, this study aims to investigate the interaction between job characteristics and work-related stress indicators in a sample of 211 Italian Armed Forces personnel. Using Latent Profile Analysis (LPA), three distinct profiles emerged based on job demands (workload [...] Read more.
Building on the Job Demands–Resources model, this study aims to investigate the interaction between job characteristics and work-related stress indicators in a sample of 211 Italian Armed Forces personnel. Using Latent Profile Analysis (LPA), three distinct profiles emerged based on job demands (workload and perception of performing high-risk work) and resources (relationships with colleagues and supervisors, perceived meaningfulness of work, and feedback received on quality of work). The first profile, characterized by high demands and low resources, was associated with higher levels of work–family conflict and need for recovery (an indicator of perceived fatigue at the end of the workday). The second profile, characterized by high resources and low demands, showed the lowest levels of both need for recovery and work–family conflict, while the third profile showed average scores on demands, resources, and outcome variables. These findings are in line with the chosen theoretical framework and prompt several reflections on work-related well-being in the armed forces and what can promote it. Stemming from the results is the importance of organizational interventions designed to protect employees’ well-being and support their effective functioning. Such interventions are particularly critical within the armed forces context, where operational performance has a direct impact on the safety and well-being of citizens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Promoting Health and Safety in the Workplace)
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25 pages, 2770 KiB  
Article
Trends in the Use of Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions in Schools During the COVID-19 Pandemic, February 2021 to December 2023: A Mixed Methods Study
by Nicole M. Robertson, Kailey Fischer, Iris Gutmanis, Veronica Zhu, CCS-2 Working Group and Brenda L. Coleman
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(3), 394; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22030394 - 7 Mar 2025
Viewed by 583
Abstract
The use of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) was imperative to avoid prolonged school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to understand the levels of adherence to and attitudes towards NPIs from February 2021 to December 2023 in schools in [...] Read more.
The use of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) was imperative to avoid prolonged school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to understand the levels of adherence to and attitudes towards NPIs from February 2021 to December 2023 in schools in Ontario, Canada. Participants reported how frequently they, their coworkers, and their students used five NPIs: hand hygiene, covering coughs, staying home when ill, wearing a mask, and physically distancing. Open text comments provided participants with the option to provide additional details. Our mixed methods approach incorporated a series of descriptive statistics calculated at consecutive time points and thematic analysis. Participants reported higher adherence to NPIs than their coworkers and students, with less than perfect adherence that declined over time. Six themes emerged from the qualitative analysis on NPI use in schools: (1) the influence of time; (2) managing competing priorities; (3) a lack of enabling factors; (4) a lack of reinforcing factors; (5) the responsive use of NPIs; and (6) an emotional toll. To reduce the transmission of future communicable diseases and resultant staff and student sick days, ongoing commitment to hand hygiene, covering coughs, and staying home when ill is required. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Promoting Health and Safety in the Workplace)
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19 pages, 3814 KiB  
Article
Strategic Responses to Employee Well-Being Issues in VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous) Conditions: Expanding the JD-R (Job Demands–Resources) Model with Job Crafting
by Thomas Volderauer, Margit Raich, Antje Bierwisch, Harald Stummer and Oliver Som
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22010014 - 26 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1412
Abstract
Current work environments, driven by globalization, demographic changes, and digitalization, demand substantial adaptation, which leads to decreased employee well-being. While occupational psychology research has identified supportive mechanisms, it often lacks a deepened understanding of how interventions function. This study aims to analyze the [...] Read more.
Current work environments, driven by globalization, demographic changes, and digitalization, demand substantial adaptation, which leads to decreased employee well-being. While occupational psychology research has identified supportive mechanisms, it often lacks a deepened understanding of how interventions function. This study aims to analyze the impacts of VUCA contexts and leadership behavior on job crafting, focusing on white-collar workers. Our objective is to identify workplace configurations that safeguard employee health in dynamic settings. Utilizing the JD-R model augmented by job crafting as a theoretical framework, we conducted qualitative comparative case studies using the GABEK® methodology to analyze and systematize data. This approach captures complex organizational interrelationships through sentence analysis, transforming subjective meanings into a comprehensive network and providing deeper insights into organizational dynamics. Research findings reveal that evolving work demands, notably from digital transformations, impact knowledge management, communication, and employee well-being. IT discrepancies and communication deficits intensify work complexity, underscoring the need for enhanced management frameworks. Proactive and adaptive leadership, along with job crafting, is crucial for protecting health and enhancing performance in fast-paced digital environments. These strategies promote structured decision-making and efficient knowledge management, fostering a resource-oriented culture that enhances employee well-being and overall effectiveness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Promoting Health and Safety in the Workplace)
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Review

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39 pages, 2838 KiB  
Review
The Interplay Between Sleep and Safety Outcomes in the Workplace: A Scoping Review and Bibliographic Analysis of the Literature
by Janet Mayowa Nwaogu, Albert P. C. Chan, John A. Naslund and Shahnawaz Anwer
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(4), 533; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22040533 - 31 Mar 2025
Viewed by 590
Abstract
Occupational incidents comprising injuries and accidents remain a serious concern globally. With sleep deprivation and fatigue representing key drivers of many workplace incidents, one strategy to reduce occupational incidents is implementing effective sleep management systems. Yet, to date, there are complaints about the [...] Read more.
Occupational incidents comprising injuries and accidents remain a serious concern globally. With sleep deprivation and fatigue representing key drivers of many workplace incidents, one strategy to reduce occupational incidents is implementing effective sleep management systems. Yet, to date, there are complaints about the methodological approach in sleep–safety studies. The extent of work carried out with respect to the impact of sleep on safety outcomes needs to be reviewed to highlight the state of the art in the face of increasing technological advancement and changing lifestyle attitudes. A systematic search of the Scopus and PubMed databases retrieved 63 journal articles published up to 2023. The units of analysis included article performance and thematic analysis. It was deduced that workers in healthcare and construction have been the focus of most studies, pointing to the prevalence of safety issues in both these sectors. Most of the studies adopted a quantitative methodology employing validated sleep questionnaires, especially the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Using thematic analysis, the research focus was mapped into six areas, including sleep disorders, cognition and performance, and injury and accident prevention in the construction sector. In objective studies, alertness and cognitive performance were considered a proxy for sleep deprivation and safety performance. Harmonising sleep questionnaires is necessary to prevent excessive paperwork and ineffective safety systems. This study has the potential to provide occupational health and safety researchers outside of the medicine and psychology disciplines with knowledge on baseline information that could advance efforts to address sleep deprivation and the resulting safety concerns in the workplace. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Promoting Health and Safety in the Workplace)
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22 pages, 415 KiB  
Review
Temporal Stages of Burnout: How to Design Prevention?
by Céline Leclercq and Isabelle Hansez
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(12), 1617; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21121617 - 3 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2758
Abstract
Burnout, a major concern defined most commonly in the literature with a symptoms-based classification, can also be described as a temporal process with various stages experienced by workers, each composed of unique characteristics and challenges. This intricate process of burnout emphasizes pivotal moments, [...] Read more.
Burnout, a major concern defined most commonly in the literature with a symptoms-based classification, can also be described as a temporal process with various stages experienced by workers, each composed of unique characteristics and challenges. This intricate process of burnout emphasizes pivotal moments, such as engagement and enthusiasm with a high job ideal (Stage 0), weakening of the ideal (Stage 1), protective withdrawal (Stage 2) and confirmed burnout (Stage 3). Through an opinion review, the objective of this article is to examine which prevention level, and more specifically which prevention actions, can be developed at each stage of this temporal process of burnout. The review criteria allow for the integration of both individual- and organization-focused interventions, ranging from early organizational-level strategies (primary prevention) to clinical consultations addressing the erosion of professional ideals (secondary prevention), as well as psychoeducational sessions aimed at promoting worker well-being. In conclusion, the article underscores the need for a holistic approach, combining organization-focused interventions with individual-focused interventions. Through a comprehensive review, this research provides insights into evidence-based practices, identifies gaps in current research, and offers guidance for future interventions for better support of workers facing burnout. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Promoting Health and Safety in the Workplace)
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