Welcome to the latest edition of SafetyNet! This is the last 'standard' edition of the journal, but make sure you check out our special Christmas edition next week. it will pick up five of the most memorable/important issues of 2018.. 

The OHS team at the VTHC wish all our subscribers and families and safe and happy holiday season. We will be back, fighting to make workplaces healthier and safer in 2019. The VTHC will be closed until January 14, and Renata will not be back until January 21, so the next SafetyNet will be coming out after that.

As always, we welcome any comments - good or bad - or if you have a news story you would like published, tell us by sending an email here. (Please don't 'reply' to your email).

Remember: To keep up to date and informed between editions of SafetyNet, go to our We Are Union: OHS Reps Facebook page, and for those who are HSRs and/or passionate about health and safety, join the OHS Network page, a safe place to raise and discuss issues: check it out and ask to join.

EU: guide for small businesses
Workers in Europe are more likely to experience negative consequences of psychosocial risks, stress or musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) than any other work-related health problem. These issues can have serious consequences for individuals and businesses, often leading to long periods of sick leave.
EU-OSHA says that micro and small businesses in particular can find it tough to tackle these problems, which is why they have created Psychosocial risks, stress and musculoskeletal disorders - a practical guide. It sets out a five-step process for improving the work environment, with lots of useful tips, easy-to-use techniques and straightforward advice to help small businesses prevent and manage psychosocial risks, stress and MSDs. 
Download the guide here. See also EU-OSHA's thematic sections on stress and psychosocial risks and on musculoskeletal disorders

EU: Working in the digital future — safety and health in 2025 
The final results of EU-OSHA's foresight project on the increasing digitalisation of work and the associated challenges for occupational safety and health (OSH) are now available in a new report. Artificial intelligence, collaborative robots, virtual and augmented reality, online platforms and other innovations are set to change the ways that people work.

People are less likely to work in traditional hazardous environments thanks to robotics and automation, while work-related stress and ergonomic risks are likely to be on the increase as a result of trends such as new forms of human-machine interfaces, increased online and mobile work, workers' monitoring and management by algorithms, blurred boundaries between work and private life or more frequent job changes. EU-OSHA press release. Download the foresight report and summary on new and emerging OSH risks associated with digitalisation by 2025.