WORLD DAY FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK
The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is April 28. It is an annual international campaign to promote safe, healthy and decent work conditions. It is estimated that work days lost to Occupational Safety and Health-related causes represent almost 4 percent of global GDP, in some countries as much as 6 percent.
By far the greatest proportion of current work-related deaths, 86 percent, come from disease. An estimated 6,500 people a day die from occupational diseases, compared to 1,000 a day from fatal occupational accidents.
Organizers stress that an occupational safety and health culture is one in which every worker has the right to a safe and healthy working environment. A healthy and safety culture is respected at all levels, where governments, employers, and workers actively participate in securing a safe and healthy working environment.
Growing challenges include psychosocial risks, work-related stress and non-communicable diseases, notably circulatory and respiratory diseases, and cancers.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Invite a trained expert such as a National Safety Council instructor to conduct specialized workshops on various aspects of workplace health and safety.
Plan and host a “Work Safety Day” featuring activities that teach workers best practices for a productive but safe work environment.
Follow on social media: #WorldDayForSafety, #SafeDay, #WorkSafe, #HealthAndSafety.
HISTORY
World Day for Safety and Health at Work was organized by the International Labor Organization in 2003. It coincides with the April 28 International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers.
