Elevating Healthy Work Culture: World Day for Safety and Health at Work
Every year, on April 28th, the International Labour Organization (ILO) organizes World Day for Safety and Health at Work. This day highlights the importance of creating safe workplaces and spreading awareness about the real impact of work-related accidents and diseases. It was organized in 2003 to urge us to consider how occupational safety and health can be prioritized in global and local policy-making. It is a call to action to bolster our national systems and align them with top international standards for labor safety.
A Fundamental Right
A safe and healthy workplace is the fifth Fundamental Principle and Right at Work.
On April 28, 2023, some special implements were made during the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, which every worker must be aware of. The International Labour Organization (ILO) celebrated a big decision during the 110th International Labour Conference. They decided that having a safe and healthy workplace is super important—it is actually a basic right for all workers around the world!
Not just that, but two specific rules about keeping workers safe—Conventions Nos. 155 and 187—got a special status—they are now called Fundamental Conventions, making them extra important. It means that wherever you work, you should feel safe and healthy while you are there. It has now become a fundamental right at work.
Why does workplace safety matter?
Why is it essential to consider workplace safety as a fundamental right? Well, get ready to uncover some eye-opening facts and figures that emphasize just how critical this matter truly is.
Nearly 60% of people worldwide spend a big chunk of their time working. So, it is pretty huge that everyone deserves a safe and healthy workplace, right? Think about it—since we spend so much time at work, it is like a second home. And just like we want our homes to be safe, we should expect the same from our workplaces.
This is not just about physical safety, though. It is also about our mental and social well-being. We want to go to work feeling good, both physically and mentally. But sometimes, workplaces can have hazards—things that can make us sick or hurt us. These risk factors can lead to serious health problems, making it hard for us to keep working.
Stunning stats
According to a report by the WHO and ILO, most of the deaths related to work were respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
- The biggest reasons for these deaths were lung problems like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (which caused around 450,000 deaths), strokes (which caused about 400,000 deaths), and heart issues like ischaemic heart disease (which caused around 350,000 deaths).
- Also, some deaths happened because of injuries at work, which made up about 19% of all work-related deaths. In total, around 360,000 people died because of these injuries.
- In 2016 alone, nearly 2 million people worldwide died because of work-related diseases and injuries! That is a huge number. These risks at work are also a big environmental concern.
- Recent 2023 stats estimated an annual 36,700 fatalities, 1,83,00,000 injuries, and 18,50,000 diseases related to occupational hazards in India.
It is seriously shocking to see so many people literally being killed by their jobs. This is a wake-up call to all countries to protect the health and safety of their workers.
What are the primary occupational risks in workplaces?
Workers are exposed to some occupational risks as part of their professional activities. These risk factors are a major public health issue and are responsible for work-related deaths. A recent European observational study estimated the following occupational risk factors from 20,000 workers at their workplaces.
| Occupational Risk Factors | |
| Physical factors |
|
| Ergonomic risk factors |
|
| Biological factors |
|
| Chemical agents exposure |
|
| Atypical working hours |
|
| Psychosocial factors |
|
- Climate
The impact of climate change on occupational health has also recently emerged as a concern. Climate-related hazards, particularly extreme weather events, limit work output and duration and pose risks to workers’ health and safety.
- Informal Jobs
Now, here is another concern: some people work in what we call "informal" jobs. That means they don't have all the protections and benefits that other workers might have. For them, staying safe at work can be even tougher. They might not have the right equipment or training, and they are more likely to get hurt or sick because of it.
- Mental Health
Health and safety also go beyond physical concerns. The COVID-19 pandemic has alarmed us to address mental health issues in the workplace. A safe and healthy working place supports mental health, and good mental health, of course, enables people to work productively. Issues such as depression and anxiety are pervasive in workplaces, impacting productivity and performance. When left untreated, the economic cost is estimated at US$1 trillion annually.
Fact Box
| Occupational Risk Factors | Deaths Linked to Each Factor: WHO report (2000-16) |
| Long Working Hours | Approximately 750,000 deaths |
| Exposure to air pollutants (particulate matter, gases, and fumes) | Approximately 450,000 deaths. |
What can be done? A Call-To-Action
The above risk factors are clearly becoming major health concerns worldwide. So, what can be done? Here are six proactive steps that every workplace in every country can take to promote workers' well-being and safety.
- Clear Rules and Procedures: It is super important for your workplace to have clear rules in place to keep you safe and healthy. Make sure you know what they are and follow them!
- Regular Health Check-ups: Regular check-ups and follow-ups with your doctor are a great way to catch any health issues early on. Your employer should help out by providing some basic health screenings for everyone once a year.
- Working Together: We are all working on this together! Governments, employers, and workers need to team up to ensure a safe and healthy work environment for everyone. Let us encourage collaboration between health and labor ministries to tackle workplace health issues head-on.
- Support for Everyone: No one should be left out. Everyone deserves access to support systems, especially if they work in informal jobs. Let us push for policies that ensure everyone gets fair treatment and support if they get sick or injured at work.
- Making Health a Priority: Taking care of our health at work is not just good for us; it is good for society, too! Governments and organizations should invest in workers' well-being. That way, we can all grow and be resilient, even in the face of challenges like climate change.
- Positive Workplaces: Let us create workplaces where everyone feels happy and healthy. When we cultivate well-being, it not only benefits us individually but also enhances the effectiveness and success of our workplaces.
The bottom line
It is super important to ensure that every worker, no matter where they work or what they do, has a safe and healthy workplace. It is not just about keeping us safe—it is about looking out for each other and making sure everyone can work without worrying about occupational hazards.
