Global Perspectives on Occupational Health and Safety Challenges in Library Profession

Occupational safety and health (OSH) management is reflected as a high-priority concern in many sectors such as production, industry, and construction. However, the occupational safety of library professionals remains a low-priority area. This research investigated occupational safety and health risks faced by library professionals globally, highlighting both the physical and psychological health challenges appeared in library environments. Employing a comprehensive desk-based research methodology, this research examined peer-reviewed journal articles published after 2010 and accessible through ResearchGate and Google Scholar. 15 research articles which directly aligned with the research objectives were selected using purposive sampling following content analysis. Results highlighted that psychological stress, ergonomic hazards, musculoskeletal disorders, computer vision syndrome, and workplace conflicts, among working groups and peers, and systematic OSH policy gaps are highly affected challenges for the well-being of library professionals. Literature review further identifies persistent systemic gaps in institutional OSH policies. The study recommends developing integrated OSH policies addressing different types of libraries according to their nature, user community, services provided, and collection holdings. The study further emphasized the requirement for establishing standard ergonomic interventions and proper managerial support to minimize occupational risks and ensure the safety and well-being of library professionals in this evolving field.