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Digital platform work and occupational safety and health: a review

Publication date: 2021-10-13
43
ISSN: 978-92-9479-589-2
Publisher: European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA)

Author:

Lenaerts, Karolien
Waeyaert, Willem ; Smits, Ine ; Hauben, Harald

Keywords:

digital platform work, occupational safety and health, working and employment conditions, risk prevention and management

Abstract:

ncreasing numbers of workers are employed through digital labour platforms. This review defines and characterises digital platform work and workers, and looks at the associated occupational safety and health (OSH) risks arising from, for instance, digital surveillance, performance pressure and job insecurity. The report highlights that the ’self-employed’ status of most platform workers means that they are often not protected by EU or Member State OSH regulation, which has implications for the prevention and management of OSH risks. New initiatives and legislation that aim to improve working conditions and protect platform workers are discussed.