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Sustainable, Safe and Healthy Workplaces after COVID-19: Lessons Learned for the Future of Work in the Post-pandemic Era

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Health, Well-Being and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 | Viewed by 10005

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Fabio Boccuni

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Guest Editor

Italian Workers' Compensation Authority (INAIL), Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Via Fontana Candida, 1, 00078 Monte Porzio Catone, Italy
Interests: occupational health and safety (OHS); safety engineering; risk assessment; risk management; nanotechnology; nanomaterials; ultrafine particles; exposure measurement; industrial hygiene; Industry 4.0; responsible innovation; prevention-through-design; systematic review; indoor air quality; COVID-19
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Bruna Rondinone

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Italian Workers' Compensation Authority (INAIL), Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Via Fontana Candida, 1, 00078 Monte Porzio Catone, Italy
Interests: occupational health and safety (OHS); statistics; biostatistics; occupational epidemiology; cross sectional study, survey, systematic reviews; public health; global burden of disease; COVID-19

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The work dimension has been recognised as a key determinant during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several types of professions have been associated with an increased risk of infection, with dramatic impacts in particular on healthcare and other essential workers. Different preventive and protective measures have been proposed to mitigate the risk in different settings, with the immediate effect of reducing the transmission of the virus and protecting workers in the emergency context. In addition, some of these interventions may also become structural measures in the post-pandemic era to improve health, safety and sustainability in workplaces. Changes in the world of work have been accelerated by COVID-19, and lessons learned from the management of the pandemic will be the tipping point on which the future of work activities will be improved and re-designed. In this framework, the aim of this Special Issue is to collect research studies that analyse the impact of COVID-19 risk management with the view to promote healthy, safe and sustainable workplaces.

In this Special Issue, the submission of original research articles and reviews is welcome to explore the impact of lessons learned from COVID-19 to promote safe, healthy and sustainable workplaces. Research areas may include (but are not limited to):

- Work organisation, remote work and flexibility;

- The allocation and re-design of working spaces;

- Indoor air quality improvement;

- Sanitisation procedures and the mitigation of biological risk;

- Health surveillance for fragile and/or vulnerable workers;

- Specific procedures for healthcare workers;

- Collective and personal protective equipment;

- Psychosocial risk management;

- Engagement and participative approach of OSH players;

- Training activities;

- Methods for assessing and managing emerging risks.

Dr. Fabio Boccuni
Dr. Bruna Rondinone
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. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2400 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

COVID-19
health and safety at work
sustainability
preventive measures

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 227 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Experience and Perception of Occupational Health and Safety Expert Work During the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Qualitative Study Among Latvian Occupational Health and Safety Experts

by Linda Matisāne, Lāsma Akūlova, Linda Paegle, Monta Matisāne and Ivars Vanadziņš

Sustainability 2024, 16(22), 9924; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16229924 - 14 Nov 2024

Viewed by 696

Abstract

The study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on occupational safety and health (OSH) experts in Latvia, focusing on their work demands, evolving responsibilities, and the broader implications for sustainable workforce management. Through focus group discussions with 17 OSH experts in 2022, findings reveal that pandemic-induced responsibilities, such as implementing new health protocols and adapting to remote work, increased OSH experts’ workloads and the complexity of their roles. This shift raised concerns over potential burnout and reduced capacity to address traditional workplace hazards, which are essential for a safe and resilient work environment. The study underscores the critical role of OSH in promoting sustainable workplaces by safeguarding worker health and supporting adaptable, equitable labor practices that align with socio-economic sustainability goals. Recommendations include strengthening team-based approaches and enhancing mental health resources within OSH systems to foster sustainable development in occupational health. These insights are vital for developing policies and practices that not only respond to current OSH challenges but also contribute to the long-term sustainability of workforce health and safety systems and prepare these systems for possible future critical conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable, Safe and Healthy Workplaces after COVID-19: Lessons Learned for the Future of Work in the Post-pandemic Era)

18 pages, 663 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Job Satisfaction on Life Satisfaction: The Mediating Effect of Positive Affect Moderated by COVID-19

by Tae-Kyun Na, Beom-Soo Kim and Saem Han

Sustainability 2024, 16(19), 8465; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16198465 - 29 Sep 2024

Viewed by 2072

Abstract

This study examines the effect of job satisfaction on life satisfaction, focusing on the mediating effect of positive affect moderated by COVID-19. The participants were 287 wage-earning graduates under 35 years of age who had graduated from culinary arts programmes and participated in the 2017–2019 Graduates Occupational Mobility Survey conducted by the Korea Employment Information Service. Hypotheses were tested using Hayes’ MACRO process models 4 and 8. The results are summarised as follows. First, higher extrinsic and intrinsic job satisfaction among culinary graduates was associated with increased positive affect and life satisfaction. Second, positive affect partially mediated the relationship between job satisfaction and life satisfaction. Finally, the indirect effect of positive affect on the relationship between extrinsic job satisfaction and life satisfaction decreased after the COVID-19 pandemic compared to before the pandemic. Therefore, the industry should develop systems and programmes to enhance both extrinsic job satisfaction (such as wages and working hours) and intrinsic job satisfaction (such as personal growth, development potential, and a sense of accomplishment) among young chefs. Furthermore, industries and government agencies should prepare sustainable measures to maintain job satisfaction, positive affect, and life satisfaction among employees during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable, Safe and Healthy Workplaces after COVID-19: Lessons Learned for the Future of Work in the Post-pandemic Era)

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15 pages, 303 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Organizational and Individual Factors Influencing the Quality of Working Life Among Brazilian University Professors during COVID-19

by Vanessa Molinero de Paula, Júlia Teles and Teresa Patrone Cotrim

Sustainability 2024, 16(15), 6351; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16156351 - 25 Jul 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 998

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic suddenly impacted professors’ work demands and their adaptation to new technologies and work organization, namely, working from home. These changes urged us to know its impact on their quality of working life (QWL). This study aimed at characterizing the main determinants of the quality of working life in Brazilian university professors during the COVID-19 pandemic. It integrated two cross-sectional analyses, through a questionnaire applied in 2020–2021 and 2021–2022, at universities in central-western Brazil. The sample included 220 professors at the first moment and 180 at the second. The main tool used was the Quality of Working Life Questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify the significant predictors of the QWL. In 2020–2021, “Sleep quality” was the main predictor with a 15.8% contribution to explaining the QWL variability, followed by “Satisfaction with supervisors”, “Depression”, “Work–family conflict” and “Difficulties with materials or physical resources”. In 2021–2022, the predictors that contributed most to explain the QWL variability were “Work–family conflict” and “Sleep quality” with contributions of 13.9% and 12.2%, respectively, to the coefficient of determination. “Satisfaction with students”, “Difficulties in interpersonal relationships with supervisors”, “Noise”, “Smoking habits” and “Biological sex” had lower contributions. The knowledge of the predictors of QWL among university professors is essential to defining strategies to prevent occupational risks and promoting workers’ health and sustainable quality of working life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable, Safe and Healthy Workplaces after COVID-19: Lessons Learned for the Future of Work in the Post-pandemic Era)

25 pages, 331 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Influence of Construction Companies Characteristics on Their Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Chilean Context

by Felipe Araya, Paula Poblete, Luis Arturo Salazar, Omar Sánchez, Leonardo Sierra-Varela and Álvaro Filun

Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3417; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083417 - 19 Apr 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1697

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic was a significant disruption to the construction industry around the globe with multiple impacts, such as workforce limitations and contractual conflicts. Multiple studies have explored the impacts of the pandemic in the construction sector so far. However, little is known about how construction companies responded to the pandemic and what companies’ characteristics may have influenced their responses. The objective of this study is to explore the impacts of COVID-19 and how construction companies responded to the pandemic. To do so, semi-structured interviews with experienced professional working in Chile are qualitatively analyzed to leverage their experience. Furthermore, characteristics of construction companies that influenced how companies responded to the pandemic, namely, size, experience, and financial standing, are explored. The results obtained suggest that the focus in responding to the pandemic was taking care of workers’ safety, improving the planning of projects under highly uncertain conditions, and dealing with the financial stress of developing construction projects. When looking at the influence of companies’ experience, size, and economic capacity, experienced and large companies’ responses were related to implementing teleworking and dealing with a limited workforce. Regarding the economic capacity of construction companies, the focus was placed on responding to the pandemic using multiple sources of financing. Differences identified in how construction companies responded to the pandemic emphasizes the importance of understanding attributes that led companies to having better responses to the pandemic and being prepared for the post-pandemic context. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable, Safe and Healthy Workplaces after COVID-19: Lessons Learned for the Future of Work in the Post-pandemic Era)

21 pages, 2093 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Advancing Sustainability in the Future of Work through the Design of Post-Pandemic Work-from-Home Systems

by Tiago F. A. C. Sigahi, Paul H. P. Yeow and Andrew Thatcher

Sustainability 2023, 15(21), 15367; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152115367 - 27 Oct 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1981

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated and solidified the adoption of work-from-home systems (WFHSs) across all economic sectors, and finding ways to incorporate sustainability into these systems is a fundamental aspect of a sustainable future of work. Designing sustainable WFHSs requires an innovative approach capable of understanding complex interrelationships between multiple systems. This paper applies the sustainable system-of-systems (SSoSs) framework to find innovative design solutions for post-pandemic/endemic WFHSs. First, the SSoSs framework is depicted using examples of applications in systems to clarify its main ideas and concepts. Then, the literature on WFHSs is considered to discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on work from a systemic perspective. This provides inputs for the factors to be considered at each level of the SSoSs analysis. Finally, the SSoSs framework is applied to analyze the WFHSs’ requirements in the context of COVID-19. The nature of the application of this framework is theoretical, facilitating the provision of a multi-layered perspective on sustainability in work systems that are increasingly prevalent across various economic sectors. This study contributes to research and practice by characterizing the various relevant systems and their impact on the design of sustainable WFHSs and identifies multiple intervention points to make predictions about how they might influence other systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable, Safe and Healthy Workplaces after COVID-19: Lessons Learned for the Future of Work in the Post-pandemic Era)

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13 pages, 291 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Factors Influencing Compliance with COVID-19 Disinfection Safety Guidelines among Disinfection Workers in South Korea

by Seulki Son, Yoon Hyeon Lee and Sarang Jang

Sustainability 2023, 15(16), 12645; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151612645 - 21 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1670

Abstract

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has increased the global demand for disinfection services. Disinfection work involves specialized expertise in the use of chemicals and equipment. However, many studies have not illuminated the essential knowledge and practices of disinfection workers. This study aims to investigate factors influencing disinfection practices to enhance the quality and safety of infection-control measures. A cross-sectional descriptive study among 215 disinfection workers in South Korea was undertaken. The survey questionnaire was designed to collect information on demographic characteristics, disinfection methods, knowledge of COVID-19 disinfectants and their application, and the use of personal protective equipment. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26. Participants who received COVID-19 disinfection training had more knowledge regarding disinfectant products, demonstrated greater adherence to disinfection guidelines, and used more disposable PPE items. The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that being female, completing prior training on COVID-19 disinfection, obtaining disinfectant information through official education, and possessing a subjective awareness of COVID-19 disinfectants and disinfectant knowledge were associated with increased compliance with guidelines for disinfection. This study revealed a gap between perceived compliance and actual knowledge between groups. These findings highlight the importance of retraining disinfection workers, enhancing their qualifications, and promoting responsible disinfection practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable, Safe and Healthy Workplaces after COVID-19: Lessons Learned for the Future of Work in the Post-pandemic Era)

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Sustainable, Safe and Healthy Workplaces after COVID-19: Lessons Learned for the Future of Work in the Post-pandemic Era

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