Healthcare workers are the backbone of Ghana’s health system, yet they face a hidden epidemic of ergonomic-related illnesses, with prevalence rates as high as 94%. Systemic challenges, including staffing shortages and inadequate training, intensify this crisis, particularly impacting the lower back due to demanding physical tasks. "Vigilance on the Frontline" is an innovative training program designed for healthcare workers at Bemuah Royal Hospital to address these ergonomic risks. Through six practical modules, the program equips participants to identify hazards, practice safe body mechanics, prioritize self-care, implement low-cost solutions, advocate for safer workplaces, and establish continuous improvement feedback loops. Delivered with hands-on demonstrations, case studies, and partnerships with hospital management and the International Social Security Association, it tackles resource constraints creatively. Expected outcomes include reduced workplace injuries, improved worker well-being, and a strengthened safety culture, contributing to enhanced healthcare delivery, lower absenteeism, and better maternal health outcomes for Ghana’s 30 million population. Results will be shared through journals, conferences, policy briefs, and media to influence global policy and practice. This scalable, cost-effective model provides a blueprint for addressing ergonomic challenges in developing nations, fostering healthier, safer healthcare systems worldwide.

Professional drivers are particularly affected by fatigue: different surveys worldwide show that over 50% of long-haul drivers have at some time almost fallen asleep at the wheel.

The FitDrive project investigated the identification of reduced fitness to drive for professional drivers with machine learning techniques able to build a personal “usual" driving profile of each driver after some thousands of kms driven. Once the "usual" driving profile of a specific driver has been defined, the AI system is able to detect “unusual” behaviour (outside the "usual" range of parameters) and associate them with the most probable causes, such as fatigue, or other cognitive disorders. With only 30 days of unsupervised AI learning in the pilots, in vans and trucks, the FitDrive system detected driver states with 84% accuracy.

For fitness-to-drive and fatigue detection to be homogeneous across the different systems and to allow for authorities to intervene, it is necessary to create regulation that defines standard levels of fitness. Another requirement is updated regulation making more vehicle data mandatorily available over the OBD-II port, avoiding proprietary protocols hindering data access. FitDrive has put large effort in awareness raising concerning these matters, through various channels including three meetings at the European Parliament.

In today's digital age, the rise of new functional addictions, particularly related to digital technology and smartphones, is becoming increasingly prevalent. This phenomenon, referred to as "new functional addiction," poses significant challenges to occupational safety and personal well-being. As digital demands at work and multiscreen dashboards become integral to daily tasks, individuals are becoming more dependent on smartphones and digital devices, even in safety-critical roles. This dependency leads to strain throughout waking hours, affecting both personal and work-life balance.

Existing structures for securing performance and safety are in place, but further regulations may not be the solution. Self-reflection regarding these addictions often proves insufficient, overlooking significant risks. The dopamine "hook" can create an unreal value to the "next swipe," potentially hijacking the brain's reward system. Addressing this issue requires workplace measures and practices, avoiding stereotypes and ensuring that functional addictions are not seen as problems only for certain groups.

Modern functional dependencies differ from traditional addictions like drugs and alcohol, with strong links to personal privacy issues, few legal restrictions, and social acceptance. The presentation will conclude with examples from Finland on tackling these new addictions, highlighting effective measures and future

Monotony can lead to inattentiveness or fatigue, especially during long business trips on motorways, among other places. Inattentiveness and fatigue are causes of serious accidents that can be avoided. The question arises as to how monotony can be avoided during long journeys. In any case, short breaks, especially with short naps, and short periods of physical activity help.
However, there are also ways to enter a sustained phase of conscious concentration while driving by consciously choosing observation tasks and observing road traffic in a targeted manner so that you can always react correctly.
The presentation aims to introduce exercise suggestions in line with the Vision Zero safety strategy, which ensure that drivers, especially on routes that cause monotony, always pay close attention to traffic flows and remain fit for safe participation in traffic. These exercises, or rather observation tasks, also increase the ability to anticipate traffic.

Der Beitrag behandelt die Thematik der Fahrtüchtigkeit durch Ablenkung, Übermüdung oder auch Erkrankungen im Arbeitskontext.
Es werden präventive Ansätze und Maßnahmen vorgestellt, um das Risiko einer Beeinträchtigung der Fahrtüchtigkeit und damit der Unfallgefahr vorzubeugen. Die Maßnahmen orientieren sich an dem in der Arbeitssicherheit bekannten „STOP-Prinzip“, wobei der Schwerpunkt bei der Arbeitsorganisation liegt.