Occupational safety and health risks of handiwork provided through digital labour platforms

Workers such as plumbers and electricians who perform handiwork face several occupational safety and health (OSH) challenges. These include working in uncomfortable positions, carrying out awkward manual tasks, lifting heavy objects, being exposed to hazardous substances, slips, trips and falls, as well as verbal abuse, bullying and harassment.

This case study explores handiwork provided through digital labour platforms. It presents the OSH risks that workers performing handiwork encounter when providing work through a digital labour platform. It also outlines the factors that influence or complicate the management of OSH challenges and risks in handiwork provided through digital labour platform.

By highlighting digital labour platforms’ practices and actions, the case study examines whether and how to prevent and manage such risks.