Support for a Better and Longer Working Life
Aim
Description
Population ageing and the declining number of working-age individuals create a need for a safer, healthier, and more sustainable work environment. The project “Support for a Better and Longer Working Life” promotes improvements in the quality of the working environment, preservation of work ability, and the extension of healthy working lives, with particular attention to employees at risk of work ability loss and older workers.
The project is implemented by the State Employment Agency in cooperation with the Riga Stradiņš University agency, the Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, the Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia, and the Employers’ Confederation of Latvia. The project develops evidence-based solutions for assessing and reducing ergonomic and psychosocial workplace risks, improves workplace enhancement tools, implements educational and advisory activities, and promotes the introduction of health promotion measures and workplace adaptation solutions.
Within the project, the RSU Agency IOSEH is responsible for developing evidence-based methodological solutions for the assessment of ergonomic and psychosocial workplace risks, preparing workplace improvement guidelines and methodological materials, implementing educational and advisory activities, and providing methodological support to employers in improving workplace conditions. The solutions developed within the project contribute to the advancement of evidence-based occupational safety and health practices and remain applicable after the project’s completion.
Main Activities of the RSU Agency, the Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health
Within the framework of the project, the institute:
- Develops and improves methodologies for the in-depth assessment of ergonomic and psychosocial workplace risks;
- Develops and updates catalogues of collective and personal protective equipment, as well as catalogues of health promotion and health improvement measures;
- Provides methodological evaluation of ergonomic and psychosocial workplace risk assessments submitted by employers;
- Establishes and develops an ergonomics training classroom for practical training and demonstrations;
- Organizes educational and advisory activities for employers, employees, occupational safety specialists, and occupational physicians on ergonomic, safe, and health-friendly work environments;
- Provides evidence-based methodological support on workplace ergonomics, psychosocial risk management, and health promotion issues.
Expected Results
As a result of the project, the management of ergonomic and psychosocial workplace risks will be improved, methodological solutions for employers and occupational safety specialists will be developed, the competence of employers and employees in workplace improvement and health promotion matters will be strengthened, and the development of safer and healthier working environments in Latvia will be promoted.
The project is expected to:
- Provide support to at least 2,477 employed persons, including self-employed individuals;
- Implement at least 1,320 informational and educational activities for employers, employees, and potential employees;
- Develop and improve methodologies for assessing ergonomic and psychosocial workplace risks, as well as catalogues of collective and personal protective equipment and health promotion measures;
- Promote an evidence-based approach to the development of ergonomic, safe, and health-friendly working environments in Latvia.
Project Coordinator
State Employment Agency of Latvia
Cooperation Partners
The RSU agency, the Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia, Employers’ Confederation of Latvia
