World Day for Safety and Health at work
World Day for Safety and Health at Work is observed annually on 28th April. The date of April 28 has long been associated with trade union campaigns to commemorate the victims of occupational accidents.
The day is promoted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) with the purpose to promote health and safety at work around the globe. Every year the campaign continues to grow, with more participants taking the opportunity to improve organizational awareness and knowledge.
The ILO aims to create worldwide awareness of the dimensions and consequences of work-related accidents, injuries, and diseases and to place the health and safety of all workers on the international agenda and stimulate and support practical action at all levels.
World Safety Day is an opportunity to remind each other how important must be our dedication to a safe workplace for our employees and our clients. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), each year globally more than two million workers die because of workplace accidents and diseases.
History of World Day for Safety and Health at Workday
The World Day for Safety and Health at Work has been a global event since 2003, but the origins of the 28th of April stretch back to 1996 when the trade union movement used the date to honor the memory of victims of occupational accidents and diseases. ILO works to promote the shared responsibility of key stakeholders and encourages a preventative safety and health culture within all workplaces. Since then, the International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers has been established as a campaign to help reduce injuries and fatalities in the workplace, as well as honoring fallen workers around the world.
On 28 April, is also commemorated as International Workers’ Memorial Day, an opportunity to recall that all workers have the right to safe and healthy working conditions. Workers’ Memorial Day, now an international day of remembrance of workers killed in incidents at work, or by diseases caused by work, is officially recognized by the UK Government, and annually on this date, Workers’ Memorial Day events are held throughout the world.
What is safe, healthy, and decent work?
According to International Labour Organization (ILO), national occupational safety culture is one where –
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The right to a safe and healthy working environment is respected at all levels.
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Governments, employers, and workers actively participate in securing a safe and healthy working environment through a system of defined rights, responsibilities, and duties.
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Where the highest priority is accorded to the principle of prevention.
This celebration 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 2003.
A safer and healthy work environment for your workers can be achieved by:
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Providing the right tools and the proper training to complete work safely.
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Educating the young workers of work, health, and safety responsibilities.
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Empowering young laborers to have the confidence to speak about safety and health in the workplace.
Since emerging as a global crisis in early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has had profound impacts everywhere. The pandemic has touched nearly every aspect of the world of work, from the risk of transmission of the virus in workplaces to occupational safety and health (OSH) risks that have emerged because of measures to mitigate the spread of the virus. The World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2021 focuses on leveraging the elements of an OSH system as set out in the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187).
The ILO will take this opportunity to raise awareness and stimulate dialogue on the importance of creating and investing in resilient OSH systems, drawing on both regional and country examples in mitigating and preventing the spread of COVID-19 at the workplace.
How can you get involved?
ILO has a suite of resources available for industry use including fact sheets, toolboxes, and historical records. For the list of resources available, visit the International Labour Organisation website.
First, you can take the lead in workplace health and safety by always practicing good work health and safety. On April 28, you might consider getting involved with one of the following ideas:
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Promote World Day for Safety and Health at work in your workplace.
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Arrange a safety expert to speak in your workplace.
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Screen a seminar from the Virtual Seminar Series at your workplace.
- Display promotional posters in your workplace to raise awareness.
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Take a moment at work to discuss this issue with your colleagues and think about ways you can make your workplace safer.
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Follow posts related to World Day for Safety and Health at work with the hashtag #SafeDay, #SafetyDay, and #worldWHSday2021.