IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v14y2022i4p2424-d753899.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Occupational Health and Safety Scope Significance in Achieving Sustainability

Author

Listed:
  • Sotirios Kavouras

    (Department of Economics and Sustainable Development, School of Environment, Geography and Applied Economics, Harokopio University (HUA), 17671 Kallithea, Attica, Greece)

  • Ioannis Vardopoulos

    (Department of Economics and Sustainable Development, School of Environment, Geography and Applied Economics, Harokopio University (HUA), 17671 Kallithea, Attica, Greece
    Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and Engineering Sustainability, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Open University of Cyprus (OUC), Giannou Kranisdioti 33, Latsia, Nicosia 2220, Cyprus
    School of Architecture, Engineering, Land and Environmental Sciences, Neapolis University Pafos (NUP), Pafos 8042, Cyprus)

  • Roido Mitoula

    (Department of Economics and Sustainable Development, School of Environment, Geography and Applied Economics, Harokopio University (HUA), 17671 Kallithea, Attica, Greece)

  • Antonis A. Zorpas

    (Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and Engineering Sustainability, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Open University of Cyprus (OUC), Giannou Kranisdioti 33, Latsia, Nicosia 2220, Cyprus)

  • Panagiotis Kaldis

    (Department of Wine, Vine, and Beverage Sciences, School of Food Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Egaleo, Attica, Greece)

Abstract

A safe and healthy working environment is vital for overall sustainability, due to the fact that it affects opportunities of economic and social development. However, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO), despite the international commitment to Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) via the 2030’s Agenda Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), work-related accidents are still far too common. Work-related mortality accounts for 5% of all deaths worldwide; a toll which has increased dramatically due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, in the context of COVID-19, new demands on the labour market, such as teleworking, adequate protective measures, and proper use of personal protective equipment when physical presence cannot be avoided, are necessitating new approaches to ensure health and safety. Arguably, education can be viewed as a cross-cutting strategy in advance of a culture of safety for future generations, through strengthening skills and broadening knowledge. Indeed, even though education cannot be considered a panacea, related to SDG 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, it can be considered a critical component to deal with OSH issues using a preventive, rather than a reactive, approach. Given this fact, European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) has stressed the prevention approach through mainstreaming OSH in education at all levels, and in all fields of vocational and academic training. Aware of the potential of universities to provide graduates the broad-based knowledge to produce labour-market skills including OSH, the aim of this study is to contribute to the discussion on mainstreaming OSH into Greek university education, using Harokopio University (HUA) as a case study. For this purpose, a web-based survey was conducted to address HUA’s students, faculty members, and staff OSH knowledge, risks awareness, and attitudes, as well as their perceptions, opinions, and beliefs about the role of OSH for academia. A statistical analysis depicted respondents’ high level of willingness to contribute to the promotion of OSH, while additional evidence suggests a considerable commitment of the respondents to participate in HUA’s OSH-related training and education.

Suggested Citation

  • Sotirios Kavouras & Ioannis Vardopoulos & Roido Mitoula & Antonis A. Zorpas & Panagiotis Kaldis, 2022. "Occupational Health and Safety Scope Significance in Achieving Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-17, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:4:p:2424-:d:753899
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/4/2424/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/4/2424/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Spyridon Karytsas & Ioannis Vardopoulos & Eleni Theodoropoulou, 2019. "Factors Affecting Sustainable Market Acceptance of Residential Microgeneration Technologies. A Two Time Period Comparative Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-20, August.
    2. Panagiotis Marhavilas & Dimitrios Koulouriotis & Ioannis Nikolaou & Sotiria Tsotoulidou, 2018. "International Occupational Health and Safety Management-Systems Standards as a Frame for the Sustainability: Mapping the Territory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-26, October.
    3. George Psacharopoulos & Harry Anthony Patrinos, 2018. "Returns to investment in education: a decennial review of the global literature," Education Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(5), pages 445-458, September.
    4. Quinlan, Michael., 2015. "The effects of non-standard forms of employment on worker health and safety," ILO Working Papers 994894053402676, International Labour Organization.
    5. Mwewa Mambwe & Erastus M. Mwanaumo & Wellington D. Thwala & Clinton O. Aigbavboa, 2021. "Evaluating Occupational Health and Safety Management Strategy Success Factors for Small-Scale Contractors in Zambia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-12, April.
    6. Shahrina Md Nordin & Ammar Redza Ahmad Rizal & Rafidah Abd Rashid & Rohayu Che Omar & Unggul Priyadi, 2021. "Incidents and Disaster Avoidance: The Role of Communication Management and the Organizational Communication Climate in High-Risk Environments," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-16, September.
    7. Robert H. W. Boyer & Nicole D. Peterson & Poonam Arora & Kevin Caldwell, 2016. "Five Approaches to Social Sustainability and an Integrated Way Forward," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-18, September.
    8. Miguel Malek Maalouf & Peter Hasle & Jan Vang & Abu Hamja, 2021. "Complementarities between Operations and Occupational Health and Safety in Garments," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-20, April.
    9. Konstantinos Pouliakas & Ioannis Theodossiou, 2013. "The Economics Of Health And Safety At Work: An Interdiciplinary Review Of The Theory And Policy," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(1), pages 167-208, February.
    10. Pantelitsa Loizia & Irene Voukkali & Georgia Chatziparaskeva & Jose Navarro-Pedreño & Antonis A. Zorpas, 2021. "Measuring the Level of Environmental Performance on Coastal Environment before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study from Cyprus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-24, February.
    11. Quinlan, Michael,, 2015. "The effects of non-standard forms of employment on worker health and safety," ILO Working Papers 995012792802676, International Labour Organization.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Yun Tang & Ying Wang, 2022. "Learning from Neighbors: The Spatial Spillover Effect of Crisis Learning on Local Government," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-20, June.
    2. Eirini Stavropoulou & Konstantinos Spinthiropoulos & Alexandros Garefalakis & Konstantina Ragazou & Fragkiskos Gonidakis, 2023. "The Role of Social Banking in the Success and Sustainable Business Continuity of SSMEs," IJFS, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-15, June.
    3. Albi Thomas & Suresh Ma & Ateekh Ur Rehman & Shanthi Muthuswamy, 2023. "Ergoecology Factors Influencing Healthy and Sustainable Workplace in Healthcare Organisation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-17, October.
    4. Roido Mitoula & Angelos Papavasileiou, 2023. "Mega infrastructure projects and their contribution to sustainable development: the case of the Athens Metro," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 56(3), pages 1943-1969, June.
    5. Dimitrios Parris & Konstantinos Spinthiropoulos & Konstantina Ragazou & Vasileios Kanavas & Constantinos Tsanaktsidis, 2023. "Measuring Eco-Efficiency of the Global Shipping Sector Based on an Energy and Environmental Approach: A Dynamic Slack-Based Measure Non-Oriented Model," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-19, October.
    6. Filippos Eliades & Maria K. Doula & Iliana Papamichael & Ioannis Vardopoulos & Irene Voukkali & Antonis A. Zorpas, 2022. "Carving out a Niche in the Sustainability Confluence for Environmental Education Centers in Cyprus and Greece," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-17, July.
    7. Zuzhen Ji & Dirk Pons & Zhouyang Su & Zichong Lyu & John Pearse, 2022. "Integrating Occupational Health and Safety Risk and Production Economics for Sustainable SME Growth," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-19, November.
    8. Artem Artyukhov & Iurii Volk & Agnieszka Surowiec & Sylwia Skrzypek-Ahmed & Kseniia Bliumska-Danko & Oleksandr Dluhopolskyi & Volodymyr Shablystyi, 2022. "Quality of Education and Science in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals—From Millennium Goals to Agenda 2030: Factors of Innovation Activity and Socio-Economic Impact," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-11, September.
    9. Ioannis Vardopoulos & Ioannis Vannas & George Xydis & Constantinos Vassiliades, 2023. "Homeowners’ Perceptions of Renewable Energy and Market Value of Sustainable Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-18, May.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Devillanova, Carlo & Raitano, Michele & Struffolino, Emanuela, 2019. "Longitudinal employment trajectories and health in middle life: Insights from linked administrative and survey data," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 40, pages 1375-1412.
    2. Nguyen, Linh & Do, Huu-Luat, 2024. "Children's cognitive development: does parental wage employment matter?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    3. Michel P. Guillemin, 2021. "New Avenues for Prevention of Work-Related Diseases Linked to Psychosocial Risks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-12, October.
    4. Marie Nilsen & Trond Kongsvik & Stian Antonsen, 2022. "Taming Proteus: Challenges for Risk Regulation of Powerful Digital Labor Platforms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-23, May.
    5. Giudici, Francesco & Morselli, Davide, 2019. "20 Years in the world of work: A study of (nonstandard) occupational trajectories and health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 224(C), pages 138-148.
    6. Michael Quinlan, 2020. "Five challenges to humanity: Learning from pattern/repeat failures in past disasters?," The Economic and Labour Relations Review, , vol. 31(3), pages 444-466, September.
    7. Tauhid Hossain Khan & Ellen MacEachen & Debra Dunstan, 2022. "What Social Supports Are Available to Self-Employed People When Ill or Injured? A Comparative Policy Analysis of Canada and Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-23, April.
    8. Broten, Nicholas & Dworsky, Michael & Powell, David, 2022. "Do temporary workers experience additional employment and earnings risk after workplace injuries?," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    9. Signild Kvart & Johanna Jonsson & Theo Bodin & Carin Håkansta & Bertina Kreshpaj & Cecilia Orellana & Per-Olof Östergren & Lotta Nylén & Nuria Matilla-Santander, 2021. "Precarious Employment and Psychosocial Hazards: A Cross-Sectional Study in Stockholm County," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-13, October.
    10. Ji Young Kang, 2022. "Trajectories of Labor Market Inequalities and Health Among Employees in Korea: Multichannel Sequence Analysis," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 160(1), pages 381-400, February.
    11. Ioannis Vardopoulos & Ioannis Vannas & George Xydis & Constantinos Vassiliades, 2023. "Homeowners’ Perceptions of Renewable Energy and Market Value of Sustainable Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-18, May.
    12. Kristin van Barneveld & Michael Quinlan & Peter Kriesler & Anne Junor & Fran Baum & Anis Chowdhury & PN (Raja) Junankar & Stephen Clibborn & Frances Flanagan & Chris F Wright & Sharon Friel & Joseph H, 2020. "The COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons on building more equal and sustainable societies," The Economic and Labour Relations Review, , vol. 31(2), pages 133-157, June.
    13. Abdulmajeed Almadhi & Abdelhakim Abdelhadi & Rakan Alyamani, 2023. "Moving from Linear to Circular Economy in Saudi Arabia: Life-Cycle Assessment on Plastic Waste Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-22, July.
    14. Ji Liu, 2024. "Education legislations that equalize: a study of compulsory schooling law reforms in post-WWII United States," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-12, December.
    15. Kelley Sarussi & Thomas Walstrum, 2019. "Education and the Evolution of Earnings Across Population Groups Since 2000," Profitwise, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, issue 5, pages 1-13.
    16. Uwe Sunde & Thomas Dohmen & Benjamin Enke & Armin Falkbriq & David Huffman & Gerrit Meyerheim, 2022. "Patience and Comparative Development," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 89(5), pages 2806-2840.
    17. Seebacher, Moritz, 2023. "Pathways to progress: The complementarity of bicycles and road infrastructure for girls’ education," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    18. Delgado-Cubillo, Pablo & Martín-Román, Ángel L., 2023. "Workers’ behavior after safety regulations: Impact evaluation of the Spanish Occupational Safety and Health Act," MPRA Paper 117284, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    19. Hongbin Li & Huan Wang & Claire Cousineau & Matthew Boswell, 2023. "What Can Students Gain from China's Higher Education?," Asian Economic Policy Review, Japan Center for Economic Research, vol. 18(2), pages 287-304, July.
    20. Agnieszka Wojewódzka-Wiewiórska & Anna Kłoczko-Gajewska & Piotr Sulewski, 2019. "Between the Social and Economic Dimensions of Sustainability in Rural Areas—In Search of Farmers’ Quality of Life," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-26, December.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:4:p:2424-:d:753899. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.