Review of the future of agriculture and occupational safety and health (OSH): Foresight on new and emerging risks in OSH

This report reviews the future trends in agriculture and forestry, such as new technologies and climate change, identifies the resulting technological and organisational changes in the sector and defines the implications for OSH among farmers, foresters and other workers. The report looks at a number of potential emerging risks, particularly those that are the most imminent, namely those linked to digital evolution in the sector and resulting from climate change.

The review aims to support policy- makers at European and national levels in their development of strategies, regulations, and enforcement, guidance and support measures. The report examines a number of issues affecting the future of farming and forestry: smart farming (precision farming, digitalisation, etc.) and other technology developments; climate change and environmental issues; society and consumer trends; the labour market and organisational issues; and international trade and economic considerations.

This report has been commissioned by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) with the objectives of, first, examining future developments in the agriculture sector and, second, considering the implications of these trends for occupational safety and health (OSH).