Re-Evaluating Occupational Safety and Health Paradigms: Bridging Western and Eastern Perspectives for the Global Majority

Mainstream occupational health and safety (OHS) paradigms primarily originate from the global north, resulting in a western-centric approach in OHS practices and policies. This has engendered a disconnect with the realities faced by the global majority, particularly in regions such as Asia, Africa, and Latin America. This paper employs network theory and social network analysis to investigate the epistemological foundations of global OHS, contrasting Western and Eastern approaches. The study delineates the connections among key OHS organizations, including EU-OSHA, IOSH, APOSHO, and Japan-Asia Networking. The findings indicate that Western paradigms prioritize project management, goal-oriented strategies, and rapid dissemination of ideas, whereas Eastern paradigms adopt a more process-oriented approach, emphasizing diverse socio-economic systems, linguistic plurality, and intercountry collaboration. The predominance of Western paradigms has culminated in a "one-size-fits-all" methodology, frequently overlooking the complex realities of the Global Majority. This paper advocates for the reconfiguration of OHS discourse to incorporate the voices and experiences of workers from diverse backgrounds, particularly those in the Global South. By examining opinion leaders within international OHS networks, the study offers insights into how global initiatives projected for 2025 may influence future policies, underscoring the necessity for collaborative, culturally responsive strategies. With the ongoing digital transformation and the rise of technologies like 10G and Industry 6.0, OHS faces new challenges. Increased reliance on technology for safety monitoring introduces psychosocial stressors, such as job strain and anxiety, particularly among generations X, Y, and Z. Climate change further intensifies occupational risks, including heat stress and nutritional deficiencies, necessitating a shift toward nature-based solutions.This research has been funded by the Committee of Science of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Grant No. BR21882302 "Kazakhstan's society in the context of digital transformation: prospects and risks").