World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2024 – April 28

World Day for Safety and Health at Work is annually observed across the globe on 28 April to raise awareness about creating safe and healthy work environments and promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally.

• The observance of World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2024 on 28th April 2024 focus on “Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate”.
• The annual observance of the Day is led by the International Labour Organization (ILO), a United Nations (UN) agency to promote social justice and internationally recognised human and labour rights.

Significance:

i.It is an awareness-raising campaign focusing on emerging global OSH trends and highlights the prevalence of work-related injuries, diseases, and fatalities on a global scale.

ii.The Day aims to stimulate workplace safety and health dialogue and highlights the significance of investing in safety measures during emergencies.

iii.The Day also aims to promote and maintain the highest degree of workers’ physical, mental, and social well-being in all countries.

Background:

i.World Day for Safety and Health at Work was initiated by the ILO in 2003, capitalising on the ILO’s principles of tripartism and social dialogue.

ii.This observance aligns with the ILO’s Global Strategy on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), documented in the Conclusions of the International Labour Conference in June 2003.

• Advocacy, as one of the main pillars of the Global Strategy, the World Day serves as a vital advocacy tool to promote safe and healthy work environments.

iii.The 1st ever World Day for Safety and Health at Work was observed on 28 April 2003.

Note:

April 28th is also the International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers also known as Workers’ Memorial Day organised worldwide by the Trade Union Movement since 1996 and coordinated by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU).

Recognition of Essential Conventions:

i.In June 2022, the International Labour Conference decided to incorporate “a safe and healthy working environment” within the ILO’s framework of fundamental principles and rights at work.

ii.The Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981, and the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006, have been designated as fundamental Conventions.

2024 Event:

On 25 April 2024, a global event was organised to commemorate the World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2024 at the ILO Headquarters Auditorium in Geneva, Switzerland.

ILO’s New Report:

i.ILO launched its report, “Ensuring Safety and Health at Work in a Changing Climate” in the context of the commemoration of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2024.

ii.The report reveals new data on the impact of climate change on workers’ safety and health. Click here to know more

About International Labour Organization (ILO):
Director-General– Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
Established in– 1919