Tuesday, May 18, 2021, 10.30–12.00 (UTC/GMT +2 or CEST)

Languages: German and English

Hosted by the International Sections of the ISSA for Electricity, Gas and Water; on Machine and System Safety; and on Prevention in the Iron and Metal Industry

The spread of COVID-19 has gripped the world for more than a year. This has also brought about some drastic changes and new challenges in the area of worker protection. But how do the individual countries deal with the new risks? What are the countries‘ strategies in worker protection, what can we learn from each other? Why is a uniform line – at least at European level – so difficult?

This seminar shall consider the following questions:

• What criteria are used to assess the risk in the individual countries? Are all relevant parameters for a serious risk assessment known?
• In what way is the risk posed by COVID-19 weighed against the risk of unemployment, recession and other serious consequences, and on what basis of assessment are concrete measures taken? To put it bluntly: In case of doubt, what counts more: the economy or health? What role do experts play (including those in the fields of virology, epidemiology, medicine, economics, sociology and psychology) in identifying and implementing measures? Were all relevant expert groups consulted in time?
• What role should experts have in the implementation of measures and how can a better cooperation with politics be achieved?
• How can the tension between political necessity and maturity of citizens be resolved?
• How can we ensure that setting-based prevention lasts alongside behavioural prevention?
• What can we learn from this crisis regarding safety and health at work? • What concrete preventive measures are there to enable safe working?
• Should home office also be made possible on a large scale after COVID-19? What opportunities and risks does this bring for everyone involved – the employees and the companies?

Practical information

This Seminar is organised in conjunction with the FORUM PRÄVENTION. To register for the Forum, please visit: http://forumpraevention.auva.at