Monitoring the changing organization of work: international practices and new developments in the United States

Current practices for monitoring the organization of work are discussed, noting strengths, limitations, and needs for improvement.

Abstract

Recent trends in the organization of work have raised concerns about their implications for safety and health in the workplace. Capacity for monitoring of these trends from an occupational safety and health perspective (also known as hazard surveillance) varies considerably across countries and regions. This forum article discusses current practices for monitoring the organization of work, noting strengths, limitations, and needs for improvement. Particular attention is given to the status of monitoring practices in the U.S., and new initiatives by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to improve upon these practices.