Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the European economy, yet many continue to face major challenges in managing occupational risks effectively.

A conference in Limoges on 27 November brings together businesses, occupational safety and health (OSH) experts and institutions to highlight how proactive risk management contributes to both safer workplaces and long-term business performance.

The event is organised by our French focal point, Ministère du Travail, and gives participants the chance to explore tools, strategies and real-life case studies that demonstrate how even small organisations can implement effective approaches to risk assessment.

One of the resources tested is EU-OSHA's Online interactive Risk Assessment (OiRA) platform, which, with almost 50 tools covering a wide range of sectors in France, provides SMEs with practical guidance to reduce workplace accidents and improve safety and health.

A workshop hosted by our Portuguese focal point, Autoridade para as Condições do Trabalho, on 11 November in Lisbon brings together occupational safety and health (OSH) experts and practitioners to demonstrate how smart systems, from EU-OSHA's Online interactive Risk Assessment (OiRA) tools to advanced monitoring platforms, are making OSH management more inclusive and effective.

The programme gives the chance to participants to actively explore OiRA tools – including the 24 freely available for Portugal – and discover how they simplify risk assessment processes. It also includes a practical case study illustrating how teleworking risks are tackled in public administration.