World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2023

Observed on April 28 every year, World Day for Safety and Health at Work was initiated by International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2003 to discuss and work towards the importance of a safe and healthy work environment. There’s a high rise in work-related fatalities and dangers, giving rise to the importance of dedicated efforts to prevent the same. This day works as that reminder. Acknowledging the need and requirement of the collective effort of labour unions, governments, organisations, employers, and public health sectors in reaching true safety for workers, the ILO highlights the aforementioned need of the hour on this day. Interested to know more? Continue reading. 

What is World Day for Safety and Health at Work? 

World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an international global campaign that promotes the safe conduct of work-related activities at the workplace. It aims to bring attention to and prevent occupational accidents across the world. The day has been observed for 19 years by the International Labour Organization (ILO). This day has become of higher prominence since the COVID-19 pandemic, working towards building a strong foundation of safety and health culture across workplaces worldwide. As work-related deaths are a rising concern, this day promotes the reduction of these fatalities, curating a healthy work environment as a fundamental principle and right at work. 

Background of World Day for Safety and Health at Work 

In the year of 2003, twenty years ago, International Labour Organization (ILO) marked the beginning of this day. It started to stress the importance of prevention of increased occurrence of work-related accidents and diseases. Given ILO’s strengths of unionisation and social dialogue, the strength of this day was further built. 

The same year, the Conclusions of the International Labour Conference reflect the integral role of inclusion of this day as a part of the Global Strategy on Occupational Safety and Health of the ILO. 

The same day, 28 April is also dedicated as the International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers since 1996.

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World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2023 

What’s the course of action planned to be followed this year? For that, let’s go back a year. 

In 2022, International Labour Conference (ILC)  made a decision to make an addition to ILO’s framework of fundamental principles and rights at work:  “a safe and healthy working environment”. This year, on April 28, 2023, the ILO will take this decision forward, discussing the implications of this decision, its execution, and the practicality of the same, with experts and constituents. 

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Importance of this Day

Why is observing this day so important? We have shared some of the reasons below. 

1. This day is a reminder to focus on the conditions of the work that labourers and workers are exposed to in this capitalist world. Making money at the cost of one’s own life should be countered with reasonable means and basic rights, that this day brings to the forefront.
2. Almost 2.6 million people faced nonfatal injuries and illnesses at their workplace, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, for 2020. This number in itself represents the need of the hour that this day aims to encounter. 
3. Furthermore, with this day, resources can be contributed to continual training for, supervisors, managers, and workers for hazard control and prevention. 

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How to Observe? 

How can a spectator observe this day? Some of the ideas are listed below. 

1. If you are a working professional, then you can invite an expert to your workplace, talk to the HR department, and help conduct specialised training on the safety of workplaces. 
2. You can discuss the rights of workers and the importance of their safety and health. 
3. You can also help spread awareness on social media. 

FAQs

That was all about this day. For more such informative yet interesting articles, stay tuned to Wings by Leverage Edu.