The rights that workers in industrialised countries fought for at the turn of the 19th Century still shape health and safety law and working conditions today, which is why international labour day is celebrated.
The world day for health and safety at work is a more recent celebration, added to the calendar as part of a campaign to promote safe, healthy and decent work. It was marked this year when the International Labour Office put pressure on those who run business to place more emphasis on safety at work.
They called for more comprehensive risk management which would reduce human and economic burdens of accidents at work and health problems caused by poor working conditions.
A number of activities around the world marked the day. Events not only promoted safer working conditions but also remembered the many workers who have died as a result of their job.
Every year more than 2 million people die worldwide as a result of their working conditions. Juan Somavia, Director General at the International Labour Office says that workers and employers alike must remember that “Injury and disease are not 'all in a day's work”
He urges that we as a whole “promote a new 'safety culture' in the workplace - wherever work is done - backed by appropriate national policies and programmes to make workplaces safer and healthier for us all.”
As well as the millions of people that die each year as a result of their jobs, many more suffer injuries while working. The International Labour Office estimate that there are a massive 270 million work related accidents which do not result in death each year worldwide.
Each one of these accidents results in at least three days absence from work. This equates to a massive loss of labour for employers and loss of earnings to those victims of workplace accidents.
The International Labour Office believe that although health and safety is becoming more of a priority to employers and national bodies alike, work related deaths are on the rise.
In addition to this, more than 160 million new cases of diseases caused by the working environment are reported each year.
Despite these statistics, Juan Somavia remains upbeat about the future of workplace health and safety standards: “We know that by assessing risks and hazards, combating them at source and promoting a culture of prevention we can significantly reduce workplace illness and injuries,” said Juan Somavia.”
Carys is an author of several articles pertaining to No Win No Fee, Compensation Claims, Personal Injury Claims and other legal articles.
