Opinion | Emphasizing The Importance of Safety & Health In The Workplace

By raising awareness, enforcing regulations, and implementing preventive measures, we can reduce the number of work-related accidents and illnesses worldwide.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) established the World Day for Safety and Health at Work as an annual occasion. From its inception in 2003, it has been a strategic global platform for advocating secure, healthy, and decent work conditions. About 2.3 million deaths occur annually due to occupational accidents and work-related diseases. There are also about 317 million on-the-job accidents each year, many causing prolonged absence from work. The human cost of this daily adversity is extensive, and the economic burden of substandard occupational safety and health practices is estimated at 4% of the global Gross Domestic Product each year. The World Day for Safety and Health at Work aims to decrease these alarming statistics and promote a safe and healthy working environment. This day has been observed since 2003 and focuses on different themes each year.
As we continue to navigate a global health crisis and face enduring OHS risks in the workplace, we must strengthen our safety and health culture. The 2022 World Day for Safety and Health at Work emphasized the topic of participation and social dialogue in creating a positive safety and health culture.

Here are some examples of previous themes:
Investment in resilient occupational safety and health systems
Improving the safety and health of young workers
Collection and use of OSH data
Workplace stress
Building a culture of prevention in OSH
The Impact of Climate Change on Occupational Safety and Health
The ILO launched a new report “Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate”, which discloses alarming data on the impact of climate change on workers’ safety and health. As climate change intensifies, workers worldwide find themselves at an increased risk of exposure to hazards such as excessive heat, ultraviolet radiation, extreme weather events, air pollution, vector-borne diseases, and agrochemicals.
The ILO provides promotional materials for use, including posters, social media cards, and email signatures. A global event with experts and guest speakers from governments, employers, and workers takes place to discuss how to protect workers and respond to this global challenge. A national occupational safety and health culture is one where the right to a safe and healthy working environment is respected at all levels. Governments, employers, and workers actively participate in securing a safe and healthy working environment through a system of defined rights, responsibilities, and duties. Prevention is given the highest priority in this culture.
The “Fall Fighter” initiative encourages businesses to learn about falls and how to prevent them. They use the knowledge and skills they’ve learned in a free awareness session to educate and inspire others in their workplace and community.
The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is a crucial occasion for promoting safe, healthy, and decent work conditions. By raising awareness, enforcing regulations, and implementing preventive measures, we can reduce the number of work-related accidents and illnesses worldwide.