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The European Forum of the Insurance against Accident at Work and Occupational Diseases is an annual event bringing together 20 European countries. The aim is to promote a common strategy for reducing occupational risks, enable member countries to share their experiences and find concrete ways of improving the situation of victims of occupational accidents and diseases in Europe. EUROGIP, in its capacity as representative of the French occupational injury insurance sector at international level, attended the event.
This 2025 edition, which took place in Luxembourg from June 18 to 20, focused on the theme “Accident Prevention and Insurance in Evolving Work Environments“. Organized by the Association d’Assurance Accident (AAA), the public body responsible for accident prevention and compensation in Luxembourg, the event featured a number of presentations:
Opening addresses
Martine Deprez, Luxembourg Minister for Health and Social Security
The Minister recalled that occupational health and safety (OHS) is a priority for the Luxembourg government. It is necessary to rethink, readjust and adapt prevention tools in a constantly changing world. The National Mental Health Plan 2024-2028 includes this dynamic, and improving OHS can only be achieved through the collaboration of all key players (employers, unions, experts, etc.).
Claude Seywert, President of the Accident Insurance Association (AAA)
For Mr. Seywert, mental health and technological developments have become key issues in many European countries. It is now necessary to examine the link between these two, and in particular the impact of new technologies on workers’ mental health. The Vision Zero initiative also recognizes that mental health is an essential component of workers’ overall health.
“The magic of artificial intelligence (AI) – inspiring innovation for a safer tomorrow”
Johannes Alinhac (“Butzi”), international speaker
For Butzi, “We can do today what we considered impossible yesterday, AI is magic“. We’re at the beginning of this global transition, just as we were with the arrival of the Internet, with its good and bad sides. But we need to recognize the potential of AI, in the devices we use every day at work, in all the sectors of activity from which millions of professionals are drawn across Europe.
“Perspectives on generative AI in work and education”
Dr. Christian Kapteyn, professor and digital business consultant
For Dr. Kapteyn, the increasing use of AI in the professional world is, among other things, changing the labor market: by 2030, an estimated 170 million jobs will be created for 92 million jobs eliminated. From the point of view of employers, for example, 87% say that AI and Big Data skills are becoming increasingly important, and 69% plan to recruit talent skilled in the design and improvement of AI tools. (source: FEM).
“Adapting mental health strategies to the modern workplace”
Dr. Marcus B. Müller, professor and international researcher
Dr. B. Müller presented the “mental vitamins” test, which he believes is essential for success in the workplace. Following the principles of neuroscience and psychology, every individual would need “ABCs” at work: Autonomy, “I have a say in what I do and how I do it”; Belonging, “I’m part of something, I’m trusted and respected” and Competence, “I can contribute and overcome challenges”.
“Occupational health and safety in evolving work environments”
Tim Tregenza, Senior Network Manager at EU-OSHA
Following an explanation of the missions and a presentation of the past work of the European Union’s Occupational Safety and Health Information Agency (EU-OSHA), Mr. Tregenza detailed some of the action lines of the OSH strategic framework (2012-2027). He also presented the priority areas for the Agency’s next campaign.
“Vision Zero: shaping the future – together for life”
Helmut Ehnes, ISSA Steering Committee
Mr. Ehnes’ speech shed light on certain aspects of the Vision Zero initiative, in particular by re-explaining its three main pillars: safety in the workplace, healthy work and well-being through leadership. After presenting a number of practical tools and guides aimed at improving the culture of prevention, the video “Work accidents hurt your family the most” got the audience going.
“Promoting safe working conditions and accident insurance in the platform economy”
Dr. Christian Felten, Director of the German Federal Association for Occupational Safety and Health (Basi)
Dr. Felten focused on the challenges of the rapidly evolving platform economy. With over 28 million workers in the European Union, digital platform work involves many specific challenges, such as algorithmic management, digital surveillance and professional isolation.
“U.S. and international perspectives on a shared vision to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses”
Anna S. Hui, Director, Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
After explaining the missions of the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC), Ms. Hui presented some statistics on accidentology in the United States: in 2024 in the state of Missouri, 89,335 work-related accidents with injury were reported, of which 7,571 resulted in time off work. While certain states have specific needs due to their demographics or the presence of certain specific sectors of activity (transport and warehousing, for example), the state of Missouri has set up the “Safe@Work” initiative, enabling a better understanding of accidentology and claims at work on its territory.
