WorkRelated

Work-related is an adjective used to describe events, conditions, or outcomes that originate in or are connected to work activities, workplace conditions, or the occupational environment. It is commonly applied in occupational health, safety, insurance, and law to distinguish incidents linked to employment from those that occur outside work.

In health and safety contexts, employers are often required to prevent and manage work-related injuries and illnesses, such as musculoskeletal disorders from repetitive tasks, slips and falls, exposure to hazardous substances, noise-induced hearing loss, or work-related stress and burnout. Some jurisdictions require workers' compensation or social insurance for recognized work-related conditions, with criteria that consider the relationship to job duties or environment.

Assessment of work-relatedness involves evaluating exposure duration, intensity, and the causal connection to the condition, while acknowledging that many cases result from multiple factors, including non-work activities or preexisting conditions. For policy and statistics, agencies may classify events as work-related based on standard definitions.

Common related terms include occupational or industrial, workplace, and job-related. The concept is central to risk assessment, prevention programs, ergonomics, and occupational health services, which aim to reduce work-related risks through engineering controls, administrative measures, training, and health surveillance.

In practice, clear attribution can matter for compensation, surveillance, and research, and debates may arise regarding the extent to which a condition is work-related when professional and personal factors intersect. See also occupational health, workers' compensation, and workplace safety.