The future of safety and health at work in Colombia. Innovation, digitalization and integral well-being

Resumen

Introduction: Occupational health and safety (OSH) in Colombia is going through a moment of profound transformation, driven by technological innovation, the digitalization of processes and an increasingly comprehensive vision of workplace well-being. In the last decade, the country has made significant progress in strengthening its regulatory framework and consolidating management systems that involve multiple actors, from the Ministries of Labor and Health to occupational risk administrators and joint committees in companies. However, fundamental challenges persist, such as the reduction of informality, the standardization of professional OSH training and the need to adapt regulation to the most demanding international standards. The digital revolution has begun to transform OSH management in Colombia, allowing the use of tools such as virtual platforms for training, real-time monitoring of risks and predictive analysis of incidents, which opens unprecedented opportunities for prevention and early intervention. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of new practices, from teleworking to mental health care, underscoring the importance of a holistic approach that prioritizes the comprehensive well-being of workers. In this context, innovation not only translates into the adoption of new technologies, but also in the creation of organizational cultures that promote self-care, inclusion and equity, and in the implementation of policies that put people at the center of business management. The future of OSH in Colombia will depend on the ability of all actors to integrate these advances, overcome pending challenges and build safer, healthier and more inclusive work environments, in which digitalization and well-being are drivers of sustainable development and productivity. Objective:  Analyze the evolution of occupational health and safety in Colombia, identifying how innovation and digitalization can be effectively integrated into management systems to strengthen the comprehensive well-being of workers, optimize the prevention of occupational risks and respond to the emerging challenges of the national productive environment, in compliance with current regulations and with a focus on sustainability and quality of work life. Methodology:  The project will adopt a qualitative and descriptive approach, supported by documentary analysis, interviews with experts and case studies, to understand the evolution, challenges and opportunities of occupational health and safety (OSH) in Colombia under the prism of innovation, digitalization and comprehensive well-being. Results:  The research reveals that Colombia has made significant progress in the consolidation of a robust regulatory framework and in the implementation of the Occupational Health and Safety Management System (SG-SST), which has allowed an improvement in the prevention and management of occupational risks. However, structural challenges persist, such as high labor informality, which exceeds 50% of the employed population and limits access to social protection and safe working conditions, increasing exposure to risks.