Occupational Health and Safety Topic Methodology

The second installment in our Social Topic Methodology is now available.

Occupational Health & Safety Topic Methodology

Introduction

The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Topic Methodology tackles the significant repercussions of hazardous workplace conditions by measuring and valuing the impact of occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities on people.

The right to a “safe and healthy working environment” is codified in the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. Yet, in 2019 alone, over 395 million workers globally sustained a non-fatal occupational injury, 2.6 million workers died from occupational illnesses, and 330,000 workers died from occupational injuries, according to the ILO’s latest data.

The OHS Topic Methodology guides preparers of impact accounts to measure and value, in currency, the impact of occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities on people. Ultimately, the methodology encourages companies to manage and reduce negative occupational health and safety impacts. Watch a brief video introduction to the Occupational Health & Safety Topic Methodology here.

Highlights

  • Defines OHS as the promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental, and social well-being of workers in all occupations, in alignment with the International Labour  Organization 
  • Identifies three impacts of OHS in the impact pathway:
    • Human health: Occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities cause pain and suffering to workers and any associated loss in the intrinsic value of life, such as the inability to participate fully in one’s familial and community roles.
    • Lost wages: Workers, or their survivors, may lose wages and certain fringe benefits when they are incapacitated from work, depending on the extent to which they are protected by workers’ compensation insurance. 
    • Healthcare cost: Workers and society must pay for any uncompensated costs of medical treatment and rehabilitation, which diverts that money from other valuable uses.
  • Presents data expected from preparers of impact accounts builds upon reporting requirements in ESRS S1: Own Workers  and GRI 403: Occupational Health and Safety, while also extending into greater detail for the purposes of valuation.

Influences

The development of this methodology builds on frameworks and protocols published by leading organizations in the impact management ecosystem and sustainability-related disclosures required by governing jurisdictions and international standard setters, including:

The content of the OHS Topic Methodology builds on the General Methodologies and will be complemented by other Topic and Industry-specific Methodologies.

Development process

The development of the OHS Topic Methodology is governed by the Valuation Technical & Practitioner Committee (VTPC) and follows the Due Process Protocol.

  • Development of the OHS methodology was approved by the VTPC as part of its 2024 work plan. 
  • Research and development began in December 2023. VTPC discussion meetings were held in February and May 2024.
  • The VTPC approved the Exposure Draft of the OHS Methodology in June 2024.
  • Public comment period was launched on September 24, 2024.
  • A revised final version of the OHS Topic Methodology based on public comment was approved by the VTPC in October 2025.
  • A final version was released along with the Basis for Conclusion in March 2026.

Watch the webinar

Watch the webinar to introduce the exposure drafts for:

  • General Methodology 2: Impact Measurement and Valuation Techniques
  • OHS Topic Methodology
  • Water Consumption Topic Methodology
Watch on YouTube