There are many actions employers can take to help prevent common mental health problems from occurring in their workplaces and help those affected return to work at full capacity. However, working-age common mental health problems in developed economies are persistent and resistant to change. Because of the complex etiology, recurring, and often chronic nature of common mental health problems, solutions based purely on workplace regulation are not feasible. Instead, regulatory agencies may supplement regulatory frameworks with guidance on good practice. I review guidance frameworks influential in the UK (three issued by governmental agencies and two by non-governmental agencies), indicating guidance is relatively strong on what to achieve but less so on how to achieve it. Drawing on research on the implementation of workplace health and well-being initiatives, I suggest ways in which guidance from regulators can be extended and how that guidance can best influence organizational practice.

Aims: The aim of this study is to examine the content and system of training for nursing managers and nurses preparing to become nursing managers, based on their cases of difficult care in Japan.

Methods: An anonymous, self-administered, web-based survey was conducted in December 2023 among nursing professionals working as nurses, public health nurses, and midwives in Japan. This survey was conducted to collect cases of difficult care for nurses and to establish a database of difficult care cases that could provide measures to help resolve issues experienced by nurses. In this study, cases that could be factors associated with difficult care related to nursing management were extracted.

Results: From the 428 difficult cases of nursing care described by working nurses, 73 that were related to nursing management were selected, and 12 codes of issues related to nursing management were extracted. The issues related to excessive workload and workload adjustment, issues related to coordination of opinions and relationships with other professionals, issues related to ensuring the safety of nursing staff who experienced patient verbal abuse and violence, and issues associated with unwanted transfers and duties were experienced by some nurses.

Conclusions: In Japan, nursing licenses are lifetime licenses that do not need to be renewed. In addition, there are no specific legal provisions regarding training systems for nursing managers. Therefore, it is necessary to consider a strategic training system for the management abilities of nurses and training content that is in line with the realities of the workplace.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing various sectors, including statutory accident insurance. This article explores global applications of AI in social security systems, highlighting innovative solutions from Africa, the Americas, and Asia. It examines current developments in accident insurance, emphasizing AI’s potential to optimize processes and create new service models. The discussion includes the concept of an international AI platform for social security and the establishment of a global, AI-based Vision Zero platform. The article concludes by reflecting on the legal mandate of German statutory accident insurance and how AI can help fulfill this mandate in the digital age.

Occupational physicians play a critical role in providing occupational health services in Indonesia. Given the country’s unique geographical challenges, diverse workforce needs, and the evolving demands of professional development, the presence of occupational medicine specialists has become essential. Although the current number of specialists remains insufficient to meet national demand, they face significant challenges in practice. The Indonesian College of Occupational Medicine, as the representative body, must take a leading role in addressing these challenges.

This paper presents a legal framework for preventing seafarer accidents in Japan. This report commences by outlining the trends in seafarer accidents. Following this, in addition to the Seafarers’ Act and the Regulations for Labour Safety and Health of Seafarers, which were enacted in response to the special nature of maritime labour, this paper provides an overview of the legal framework that ensures the safety of both the workplace and the ship. Second, this paper aims to examine whether the aforementioned framework operates effectively. In particular, it investigates whether the Regulations on the Safety and Health of Seafarers are explicitly defined in response to the evolving characteristics and trends of current seafarer accidents. Furthermore, this paper explores the limitations of the system that permits seafarers to lodge complaints with maritime authorities under the Ship Safety Act, should issues with the ship’s seaworthiness arise. Third, this paper investigates the existence or absence of the shipowner’s obligation of seaworthiness for seafarers, as well as the burden of proof in cases where this obligation is breached. Concerning the latter, since seafarer accidents often occur during voyages and, in some instances, it is more challenging to ascertain the circumstances of the accident compared to onshore occupational accidents, this paper emphasises the necessity of safeguarding seafarers’ lives.

We examined the impact of Korea’s Serious Accidents Punishment Act (SAPA) on small businesses, focusing on the challenges they face in complying with the stringent occupational safety and health regulations. The SAPA, enacted in 2022, was introduced to reduce the high incidence of work-related fatalities in Korea, with over 80% of them in small enterprises. Despite its intent to prevent serious accidents, small businesses have struggled to meet the compliance requirements due to resource limitations, lack of expertise, and the complexity of implementing safety management systems and risk assessments. We also outlined the key differences between the SAPA and similar international regulations, such as the UK’s Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act. Additionally, we explored the unintended consequences of the SAPA, such as the overemphasis on legal compliance, which has resulted in the near disappearance of proactive accident prevention activities. To address these challenges, this paper calls for clearer guidelines, harmonization of safety regulations, and more practical support for small businesses, including simplified risk assessment methods. Recommendations for improving the regulatory framework to better support small enterprises in enhancing workplace safety are also provided, aiming to foster a more balanced approach between legal enforcement and proactive accident prevention.