During her visit in Brussels on 14th October, 2025, Anu Söderström participated a networking event at Euractiv office, where a debate supported by 3M took place. 

The title of the debate was “Workplace safety in industrial settings – How are EU policies protecting workers?”  

“In the context of the EU’s reindustralisation efforts, aimed at strengthening its manufacturing sector, boosting economic growth, and enhancing its strategic independence, new technologies and innovations continue to emerge. Industrial workplace environments are evolving too, reshaping the landscape for workers across all industries. As these transformations can pose risks to workers’ physical and mental health, the need to safeguard their well-being and safety is paramount. This shift also emphasises the need for preventive measures, adapted workplaces, and coherent policies at EU level. To better protect workers, the European Commission has introduced several key initiatives, including the European Pillar of Social Rights, and the EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2021-2027. The Occupational safety and health (OSH) Framework Directive also sets out core principles aimed at improving workers’ wellbeing. All these efforts are supported by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), which advocates for safer and healthier workplaces. However, despite these EU initiatives, legislation on workers’ health and safety is still not aligned across EU member states. Some stakeholders are therefore calling for more comprehensive, all-encompassing and worker-centered EU policies.” -Euractiv  

Although the focus was on industrial settings, some messages can relate to workplaces and workforce in general. It was remarkable to hear that that psychosocial risks and mental health of workers was also in focus, not just the physical and environmental risks. It was emphasised that digital conditions cause stress which has an impact on the workers´ ability.  

The Key Take-Away message of Director General EMPL, Mario Nava, was that occupational safety and wellbeing of workers is an important factor of competitiveness. As occupational therapists do have a role in occupational health, healthy workplaces and wellbeing of workforce, COTEC will be looking for more ways to contribute to the work of EU-OSHA. 

The debate was streamed and can be watched below: