Differences in assessment, handling and prevention of occupational disorders due to strain, exhaustion and infection? Meanings of norms and resources related to gender, ethnicity and type of work

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 8.8) is to promote a safe and secure work environment and to reduce serious work injuries, especially among women migrants. International studies show increased risks for immigrants, but in Sweden there are no studies.

However, reports indicate that serious work injuries are assessed and handled differently in relation to gender, etnicity, occupation and industry.

The significance of these conditions for exposure, risk assessment and management of occupational infection (Covid-19) has not been studied at all. The study explore the mechanisms behind differences and how they can be prevented.

The purpose is to analyze how the meanings of workers´ sex, gender, country of birth, socioeconomi and age are manifested in the management and assessment of serious work injuries in men- and women-dominated jobs with low educational requirements. Injuries due to strain, exhaustion and infection are focused.

How have patterns of injuries developed over time? Which norms of responsibility are marked in the assessments of what is understood and reported as work disorder? Which guidelines have been designed in the organization and how do employees relate to these? How is the work injury understood by the injured individual?

Study 1 uses registry data to analyze the prevalence, associations, development and patterns of work injuries over time (since 2010).

Study 2 uses focus group interviews with employees, safety representatives and supervisors in female- and maledominated work (with variation due to flexibility of workplace), to analyze how work injuries are understood, assessed, communicated and managed.

Study 3 analyzes applications for compensations an analyze the constructions made by the individual, administrators and physicians. The project analyses empirical material, partly already collected. The project are complemented to include a focus on occupational disorders related to Covid-19.