Millions of researches in the work environment, health and the transition to the electrification of the transport sector

Sustainable working conditions in practice and the health impact of electrification in the transport sector. These are the subjects of two of the eight projects that have been awarded a total of SEK 28 million Ava Insurance In this year’s second scholarship round.

– In the long term, we want to contribute to a good working environment with fewer occupational injuries and less ill health. We do this, among other things, by supporting research that promotes a safe and healthy work life, says Ulrika Hector, Ava Forsacring’s Head of Research and Development.

The research we fund must be useful in practical life. It is one of our main criteria when determining which projects to receive support. We have now supported eight new projects in the field of ergonomics and health.

A selection of projects:

Exposure to moving emissions in working life – electricity, particulate corrosion and new fuels

The transport sector is now undergoing a rapid transition to electrification and new fuels that have a lower climate and health impact than, for example, diesel. There is a lack of knowledge about how exposure to emissions changes the form of wear particles from brakes, tyres/road surface, wheels/rails, and exhaust emissions as a result of conversion. Studying emissions and exposures in the transportation sector can provide increased knowledge about how electricity and new fuels can affect health risks and contribute to a better working environment.

Joachim Pagels, vid Lund University of Technology, was awarded SEK 4,984,000 to investigate how electric operation and renewable fuels affect the spread of wear particles and exhaust emissions. Workplace studies will be conducted in mines, vehicle workshops, and in overbuilt train stations to compare emissions and exposures between old and new technologies individually and as a community.

The project runs through December 2026 and is expected to generate new knowledge about how emissions and exposure will change as electrified vehicles, work machines and new fuels are introduced into the transportation sector. The knowledge is expected to underlie more effective exposure monitoring methods, limit values ​​and recommendations for less climate impact and a safer work environment.

A bed of quality by pioneering recovery

According to the Work Environment Act, managers are responsible for the employees’ work environment, and it has been proven that leadership is of great importance to the health of employees. In healthcare, many managers themselves experience a significant workload, which can cause them to be less concerned about employees’ workload and recovery needs. Examining managers’ recovery efforts and applying leadership that promotes employee recovery can contribute to a better work environment and reduced employee turnover in healthcare.

Anna Dahlgren, at Karolinska Institutet, has been awarded SEK 4,995,000 to investigate whether a recovery program for first-line managers in round-the-clock care can boost recovery for managers at Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital and Sahlgrenska University Hospital. The project involves exploring how managers in their leadership can enhance the chances of employee recovery.

The project will run through August 2026 and is expected to demonstrate whether efforts to promote recovery for managers and the application of recovery-enhancing leadership in healthcare can contribute to improved recovery, performance, and health for both managers and employees.

picture: Dimitris Vitsikas