Occupational Safety and Health in Retail in a Changing World of Work: Risks, Prevention and the Role of Technology

At its 355th Session in November 2025, the Governing Body of the International Labour Office endorsed a “Technical Meeting on Occupational Safety and Health in the Retail Sector”.

The technical meeting has been convened to discuss occupational safety and health (OSH) issues in the retail sector, with particular attention to the evolving world of work and the growing use of technology. It will explore the opportunities and challenges these developments may bring, with the aim of reaching conclusions, including recommendations for future action. This report has been prepared by the International Labour Office as a basis for discussion at the meeting.

The purpose of this report is to present and analyse issues around OSH in the retail sector, paying particular attention to the evolving world of work and the growing use of technologies, exploring both opportunities and hazards this may bring. The report will consider the workforce profile and employment patterns, as well as the main categories of hazards (physical, biological, ergonomic, psychosocial and environmental), and the associated risks and prevention measures.