On 19 March, 20 trade union health and safety experts from 17 European countries met for the latest gathering of industriAll Europe’s Health and Safety Network. The meeting focused on two rapidly evolving challenges for workers across Europe: occupational safety and health (OSH) in the context of climate change, and the implications of artificial intelligence, with a focus on machine safety.

Climate change: growing concerns for workers’ health and safety

As Europe braces for another hot summer, the Network examined new findings presented by Maurizio Curtarelli of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), based on the OSH Pulse telephone survey 2025. The results confirm workers’ increasing exposure to climate-related risks:

  • 20.3% of workers experienced extreme heat, indoors or outdoors, in the past 12 months
  • 11.5% faced intense sun exposure
  • 19.4% reported air quality issues
  • 9.1% encountered extreme weather events, including floods, wildfires or hurricanes

Looking ahead, nearly one in three workers (31.9%) worry that climate change will affect their safety and health at work.

In response, EU-OSHA will expand its work on climate-related OSH risks by:

  • Strengthening data collection and analysis
  • Examining air quality more closely
  • Assessing the impact on different sectors, vulnerable workers and mental health

Several tools, guidance documents and support materials are already available, including a risk assessment tool for working in extreme heat and cold.

Participants confirmed the survey findings through their own experiences and stressed the urgent need to prepare workplaces for climate resilience. They said employers must take responsibility for prevention measures and adaptation strategies, while workers’ voices must guide the process.

Artificial intelligence: ensuring humans stay in control

The second major theme was the increasing use of artificial intelligence in machinery, including the expected spread of collaborative robots in manufacturing. Patrick Bauer of industriAll Europe member organisation ProGe introduced the topic and highlighted several key issues:

  • Machines equipped with AI may behave differently throughout their lifecycle, making continuous impact assessments essential
  • AI-powered machinery must be limited in its power, speed and movement
  • Cybersecurity vulnerabilities can lead to unsafe machine behaviour
  • Self-learning systems make risk prediction and prevention more complex
  • Collaborative robots working side by side with humans will likely not be restricted in their movements

Deputy General Secretary Isabelle Barthès underlined the trade union position clearly:

“Humans must remain in control. We need good data, extensive testing, thorough risk assessments and proper training for workers.”

Participants shared examples of trade union activities, such as training, appointing contact persons with expert knowledge and developing materials for shop stewards. They also stressed that the pace of technological change makes it increasingly difficult for workers and trade unions to keep up, engage employers and ensure safe implementation.

Looking ahead, Isabelle Barthès, together with three industriAll Europe affiliates, will be part of the workers’ delegation at the International Labour Organization (ILO) technical meeting on challenges and opportunities for promoting decent work, productivity and a just transition arising from artificial intelligence in the manufacturing industry, which will take place from 13 to 17 April 2026.

Preparing for a joint workshop on equal opportunities and occupational safety and health

The meeting concluded with preparations for a joint workshop with the equal opportunities group in November. Participants put forward an extensive list of possible topics, highlighting the need to approach OSH through multiple lenses and to ensure that shop stewards receive adequate training.

Issues proposed for discussion include:

  • The impact of remote work on different groups of workers
  • Dyslexia, including visualising OSH information and digital aids
  • Working with disabilities and the provision of reasonable accommodation
  • Nursing rooms, adequate toilet facilities and free sanitary products
  • Appropriate and properly fitting personal protective equipment for everyone
  • Psychosocial risks
  • Violence and harassment
  • The different effects of exposure to hazardous substances, including reprotoxins, and the persistent lack of reliable data