In the modern distribution and use of the labor force, the factors of working conditions, the expectations of workers regarding the safety of the workplace, the quality of working life, and the preservation of health play an important role. In the organization of the workspace, social factors, factors of health-saving technologies are becoming increasingly important. International organizations are increasingly recording an increase in injuries, a deterioration in the quality of life of workers, including in such strata as the youth, which are important for the development of the labor market and society, which may pose a threat to reduce the human potential of the nation. The article provides international assessments of the understanding and calculation of the main indicators of working conditions, the quality of jobs and the health of workers, identifies the problems of further study in this area, reveals the features of the definition of the term "social occupational health" as significant for describing and clarifying the characteristics of modern labor relations , changes in relations between the employee and the employer in order to improve working conditions and employment, as well as social protection of the able-bodied population, maintaining and strengthening the health of employees.