Swedish ICMIF member AFA Försäkring has announced details of the four projects to receive support through the fourth round of grants issued in 2023 by the mutual insurer with a total of SEK 10 million provided for the research and development projects.

Afa Försäkring invests SEK 150 million (USD 14.4 million) annually in research and development aimed at preventing ill health and occupational injuries in the private sector, municipalities and regions.

“We want to make a long-term contribution to a good work environment with fewer occupational injuries and reduced ill health. We do this, among other things, by supporting research that promotes a safe and healthy working life,” says Ulrika Hektor, Head of Afa Försäkring’s Research and Development department.

“The research we fund should be of use in working life. This is one of our main criteria when deciding which projects are supported. We have now granted funding for four new projects in the field of work environment and health,” Hektor concluded.

The four projects are:

Digital stress in hybrid organisations – leading and organising for a sustainable workplace

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, hybrid work and the ability to work remotely has become more common. The increase in remote work is often perceived as flexible and efficient, but can also lead to technology-related digital stress and reduced well-being. Leadership will therefore be of great importance for the organisation of future workplaces. A study of digital stress and well-being in hybrid organisations can increase knowledge about how to organise sustainable hybrid workplaces.

Karin Högberg, at University West, has been awarded SEK 2,887,000 to investigate leadership, organisation, digital stress and well-being at two major companies that have chosen to introduce hybrid work. In the study, interviews and workshops will be conducted with managers and employees.

The project runs until June 2027 and is expected to provide increased knowledge about digital stress in hybrid organisations in relation to well-being and sustainability. The project is expected to result in methods for how to create sustainable hybrid workplaces.

AI-based automation in forestry – new opportunities and risks for a safe working environment

Artificial intelligence, robotisation and automation make it possible to improve the efficiency of production in many industries. In the forest industry, the use of AI-based automation in the form of self-learning computer programmes that interact with sensors on forest machines is increasing. At the same time as the work environment becomes safer when more and more self-propelled machines take over risky tasks, there is a lack of knowledge about the new risks that can arise. A study of how AI-based automation in forestry affects safety can provide increased knowledge about how the new technology can be introduced safely.

Daniel Nylén, at Umeå University, is awarded SEK 3,668,000 to investigate how AI-based automation can contribute to reduced or lead to new safety risks in forestry. The study maps automation in the industry and conducts interviews with employees, managers, safety representatives, machine manufacturers and technology suppliers.

The project runs until January 2027 and is expected to result in a handbook with guidelines for the introduction of AI-based automation in the forest industry with a focus on a safe work environment. The results of the project are also expected to be used in automation in other industries.

From minute hunting to trust – a randomised field experiment to improve the work environment in home care

In home care, the work is often governed by schedules that specify how many minutes different tasks may take, despite the fact that this risks creating a work environment that causes stress and ill health. Now, several municipalities are instead introducing so-called trust-based governance models that give employees more influence over how work is planned and carried out. A study of the introduction of the new way of working can provide increased knowledge about whether trust can contribute to a better work environment and health for home care employees.

Nora Hansson Bittár, at the Stockholm School of Economics, is awarded SEK 2,908,000 to investigate how the transition from minute-controlled to trust-based working methods in four municipalities affects the organisational and social work environment. The study includes identifying obstacles and opportunities for increased trust and finding out how the transition affects the health of employees.

The project will run until January 2027 and is expected to provide new knowledge about how work management based on increased trust can be designed and introduced in home care. The results are also expected to show whether influence over the working day can prevent ill health and contribute to increased well-being.

Approved occupational injury – what happens next?

Working with vibrating tools is common in construction and industry and often leads to nerve and vascular damage in the hands and arms. Despite the fact that many people who seek care for their problems remain in the same profession, there is a lack of knowledge about how the symptoms are affected by continued vibration exposure. A study of how continued and changed exposure affects the development of vibration injuries can increase knowledge about preventive measures and contribute to improved quality of life for the individuals affected.

Teresia Nyman, at Uppsala University, is awarded SEK 762,000 to investigate how health and professional life change for people who, due to exposure to vibrating tools, have received occupational injury compensation from Afa Försäkring. A questionnaire collects data on, for example, persistent symptoms, completed medical check-ups and employment.

The project will run until December 2025 and is expected to increase knowledge about long-term symptoms, disability, continued exposure and quality of life in connection with vibration injuries. The project is also expected to provide a picture of the extent to which measures to reduce exposure are taken in workplaces where employees have suffered from vibration injuries.