How inequality shapes exposure to workplace harm

Workplace injuries and deaths are a major global problem, with serious human and economic consequences. In 2019, an estimated 395 million workers worldwide experienced a non-fatal workplace injury, and work-related causes accounted for almost 7% of all deaths globally. These harms also place a heavy financial burden on societies, with work-related illness and injury costing around 6% of global GDP in the same year.

However, workplace risk is not evenly distributed. Some workers face far greater dangers because of their socio-economic circumstances, such as low income, insecure employment, or limited legal protections. However, we still know very little about how inequality shapes exposure to workplace harm at a global level. This project aims to understand the link between socio-economic inequality and workplace injury, in order to inform fairer and more effective prevention strategies worldwide. 

We will analyse data from the World Risk Poll to examine how socio-economic factors – specifically income, education, national income, and gender - are linked to workplace injuries across different countries. By comparing global patterns, we can identify which groups of workers are most at risk and where inequalities are most pronounced. 

This research will make two important contributions. Firstly, it will provide one of the first global pictures of how social and economic conditions shape workplace harm. Secondly, it will generate evidence, allowing for targeted safety interventions. Rather than treating workplace risk as evenly distributed or random, our findings will support policymakers and employers to focus on those workers who face the greatest danger. In doing so, this project will support a more inclusive and equitable approach to occupational safety and health across the globe. 

In order to bring about targeted and tailored solutions in peoples’ safety, we must first understand who is most at risk. This research, the first of its kind, does exactly that. These findings will enable the global community to act, protecting the most vulnerable from workplace harm. This includes people in low-paid or insecure jobs, migrant workers, informal workers, and those in countries with weaker labour protections. These groups often face higher risks but are less likely to be represented in official statistics or policy discussions.

By identifying which socio-economic factors are linked to greater injury risk, our findings support governments, regulators, employers, and international organisations to design more targeted, and therefore effective, safety policies. For example, resources can be directed towards high-risk sectors or groups, and reporting systems can be improved to better capture hidden harms. In the long term, this evidence has great potential to contribute to safer working conditions, more equitable protections, and reduced injury rates for those who are most at risk. 

Official workplace injury statistics often underestimate the true scale of harm. Many injuries go unreported because workers fear retaliation, lack job security, or have no accessible way to report incidents. As a result, national data can miss the experiences of the most vulnerable workers, who are often in highest need of greater protections.

The World Risk Poll helps fill this major data gap. It is a large, internationally comparable survey that captures workers’ own experiences of harm, including those not recorded in official systems. This allows us to compare patterns across countries using consistent measures and to examine inequalities at a global level. Without this dataset, it would be extremely difficult to analyse workplace injury in such a broad and comparable way. The World Risk Poll enables us to see global patterns that would otherwise remain hidden. 

To maximise impact, we want to engage with policymakers, labour regulators, trade unions, employer organisations, and international bodies such as the International Labour Organization and the World Health Organization. These stakeholders play a central role in shaping workplace safety standards and enforcement. By sharing our results in accessible formats and participating in policy discussions, we aim to ensure the research informs practical action. 

We will also work with employers and relevant NGOs to directly improve workplace safety practices. By providing guidance, information and recommendations, we aim to support organisations in implementing practical safety measures on the ground. Simultaneously, we will also collaborate with governments to advocate for legislative and regulatory changes that reinforce workplace safety, ensuring that improvements are sustained and systematically enforced. 

To find out more about this project, get in touch with the team at msmith@rospa.com