World Day for Safety and Health at Work is annually observed across the globe on 28th April to create awareness about the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally. The day also promotes the good practices for Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) and key-related issues.
- The annual observance of the day is led and organised by the International Labour Organization (ILO), a United Nations (UN) agency which aims to advance social and economic justice through setting international labour standards.
The observance of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2022 will focuses on the theme of “Act together to build a positive safety and health culture”.
Background:
i.28th April marks the International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers which is annually organised across the globe by the Trade Union Movement since 1996.
ii.In 2003, the ILO was involved in the April 28 campaign upon request from the trade union movement and since then ILO observes the World Day on Safety and Health at Work on April 28.
Significance:
i.The observance of World Day for Safety and Health at Work highlights the ILO’s traditional strengths of tripartism and social dialogue.
ii.The day is an integral part of the Global Strategy on Occupational Safety and Health of the ILO, as documented in the Conclusions of the International Labour Conference in June 2003.
Key Points:
i.According to the UN, every year, around 3 million people die due to exposure to common risk factors in the workplace.
ii.Work-related diseases are responsible for around 81% of all work-related deaths in 2016, with an estimated 745,000 deaths attributed to diseases caused by long working hours.
iii.Recent research reveals that more than 300 million workers from across 142 countries feel that they cannot report safety issues to their employers. Without this discussion the probability of workers suffering a serious injury at work increases.
iv.In workplaces with higher worker engagement, 64% fewer safety incidents and 58% fewer hospitalizations are recorded.
About International Labour Organization (ILO):
Director-General– Guy Ryder(He will be succeeded by Gilbert F. Houngbo, who will take office in October 2022.)
Created in 1919
Members– 187 Member states
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
