Labour protection in labour law is inextricably linked with industrial revolutions. The First Industrial Revolution led to a massive transition from manual labour to machine labour, which occurred in western countries in the XVIII-XIX centuries. The main feature of the First Industrial Revolution was the widespread use of steam engines, which led to industrialization. Industrial injuries increased sharply with the use of steam machines and mechanisms in labour processes. As a result, it became necessary to regulate labour protection relations in factory legislation.
Electricity replaced steam, and electrification changed production technology during the Second Industrial Revolution. The transmission and reception of electricity gave rise to many electrical and energy security issues, which required the inclusion of many rules for electrical installations in labour protection.
The Third Industrial Revolution is attributed to the era of widespread use of computers. This period led to a need for the legal regulation of labour protection of those employees whose work is carried out using a computer. The widespread of the Internet made it possible to work remotely, which also determined the features of the legal regulation of the labour of remote employees and the differences in labour protection issues in relations with such employees.
Digital technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution defined a new stage in the spread of remote work, characterized by the broadest use of the labour of people working remotely, especially at home, which should receive full support.
For example, the ILO Convention No. 177 on Home Work (1996) states: “National policies on home work should promote equality of relations between homeworkers and other employees, as far as possible, taking into account the characteristics of home work. In particular, equality of... protection of occupational safety and health... protection through the social security systems established by law should be promoted”.