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On May 27 and 28, the INRS participated in the organization and discussions of the 9th EUROSHNET Conference, which brought together experts from across Europe in Helsinki to discuss standardization and certification in occupational health and safety. The event addressed the impacts of climate change and digital transformation on prevention practices and how to adapt standardization, testing, and certification to these new realities. The discussions also provided an opportunity to put Europe’s role into perspective within a changing environmental, technological, and regulatory context.

The INRS publishes over 100 articles a year in general and specialist journals. Here is a selection of articles published in recent months on various topics relating to health and safety at work.

The INRS emphasises that analytical transmission electron microscopy (ATEM) is now the only valid and appropriate method for measuring occupational exposure to asbestos. Why? This method meets several essential requirements: the need for reliable chemical and crystallographic identification, and for the comprehensive counting of all asbestos fibres, including fine and short fibres present in occupational environments.

Climate change, geopolitical and energy crises, the rise in automation and the use of artificial intelligence… These developments will affect work in the upcoming years, but what will be the consequences on safety and health? These are just some of the topics that will be covered during the international conference organised by INRS (French national research institute for the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases) that will be held on 14 November in Paris. The goal is to explore the possible transformations in the world of work and their impact on workers’ health and safety.

INRS conducted a study to improve knowledge about the potential toxicity of multi-walled carbon nanotubes, one of which is already classified by IARC as “possibly carcinogenic to humans”. The work aimed to evaluate the influence of the diameter and length of nanotubes on health, and therefore to reinforce the prevention of hazards in the event of inhalation by staff that are required to produce or handle them.

The aim of occupational risk prevention is to prevent work-related accidents and illnesses. An INRS study analysed data from 1.9 million French companies over a 15-year period. The findings are that a higher frequency of workplace accidents is associated with a drop in the company's economic performance. Explanations of Bertrand Delecroix, co-author of this study.

The PEROSH European network, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, held its 5th research conference in Stockholm from 6 to 8 September. Chaired since January 2023 by Louis Laurent, Director of Studies and Research at INRS, the network now has more than 2,000 experts and researchers from the 14 member institutes, who contribute to occupational health and safety research in Europe and around the world.

In his new adventures, Napo, the prevention mascot, addresses occupational risks related to robotics technologies.

Seventh in a series of conferences organised by the French national research and safety institute (INRS), this conference will focus on the profound changes in industrial processes over the last twenty years. It will take place from June 28 to 30, 2022 in Nancy (France).

Presented as key for competitiveness, collaborative robots are of great interest to manufacturers. However, collaborative robotics raises the question of man-machine co-activity and the associated risks. To address the main concerns related to the integration of this new technology, the French national research and safety institute (INRS) conducted studies and today proposes information material intended for companies.