Patterns of deaths, occupational injuries and occupational diseases are not in place and are constantly changing around the world. These changes can be gradual or sudden, but have both positive and negative effects on worker safety and health. This article provides an overview of the major changes that are changing the world of work and discusses the implications of these changes for future workplace safety and the challenges and opportunities that may arise. The article summarizes three interrelated key areas of labor protection development: digitalization and information and communication technologies, automation and robotics, and also the use of nanotechnology. While changes shaping the future of work pose new challenges to occupational safety, it is worth noting that these changes also create new opportunities for improving preventive measures.