World Day for Health and Safety at Work 28 April 2024: A Global Commitment to Safer Workplaces

Every year on 28^th April, World Day for Health and Safety at Work is observed globally to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and ill-health worldwide. It is an international campaign to foster awareness of the importance of creating a safe and healthy work environment for all workers. The inception of the World Day for Health and Safety at Work can be traced back to the International Labour Organization (ILO), which established this observance in 2003 to stress the prevention of accidents and illnesses at work, aligning it closely with the ILO's global strategy on occupational safety and health.

Since then, the day has served as a reminder of the significant challenges that remain in reducing work-related injuries, fatalities, and diseases, which affect millions of workers around the world. Activities and events range from seminars and workshops to media campaigns and community outreach, all aimed at raising awareness and educating workers and employers about best practices in occupational safety and health. The goal is to foster an environment where the health and well-being of workers are prioritised as fundamental to the success of all businesses and economies.

According to the ILO, 6,300 people die every day as a result of occupational accidents or work-related diseases – more than 2.3 million deaths per year and 317 million accidents occur on the job annually; many of these resulting in extended absences from work (Business, Occupational Safety and Health), highlighting an urgent need for improved safety measures.

The theme varies each year, focusing on current issues and trends in the field of occupational health and safety, such as the impact of global pandemics, the importance of mental health in the workplace, or the challenges and opportunities presented by technological advancements. This year focuses on the impacts of climate change on occupational health and safety at work, with changing weather patterns having notable impact on the world of work, particularly the health and safety of workers. Examples of occupational risks worsened by climate change include excessive heat, UV radiation, air pollution, major industrial accidents, extreme weather events, an increase in vector-borne diseases, as well as increased exposure to chemicals. To find out more, you can view a global event on Thursday 25 April 2024 at 12:30pm (Europe/London) on ILO Live, where experts and guest speakers from governments, employers and workers, will be discussing how to protect workers and respond to this global challenge.

Employers should not lose sight of why workplace health and safety is so important. The below figures are taken from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) published data (2022/23) which greatly highlight the need to effectively manage health and safety in the workplace.

• 135 workers killed at work.
• 8 million working people suffering from a work-related illness, of which:
• 875,000workers suffering work-related stress, depression, or anxiety.
• 473,000workers suffering from a work-related musculoskeletal disorder.
• 2,268mesothelioma deaths due to past asbestos exposures (2020).
• 561,000injuries occurred at work according to the Labour Force Survey.
• 60,645injuries to employees reported under RIDDOR.
• 2 million working days lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury.
• £20.7 billion estimated cost of injuries and ill health from current working conditions (2019/20).

Reporting Health & Safety Concerns

Both employees and managers have health and safety responsibilities. Workers can report certain types of wrongdoing (known as whistleblowing) which must be in the public interest. Complaints that count as whistleblowing and protected by the law include:

• a criminal offence, for example fraud.
• someone’s health and safety are in danger.
• risk or actual damage to the environment.
• a miscarriage of justice.
• the company is breaking the law, for example does not have the right insurance.
• you believe someone is covering up wrongdoing.

Steps for reporting H&S concerns:

1. Report your concerns to your supervisor/manager.
2. Report your concerns to your Health & Safety manager, HR team or senior leadership team (if you feel that your first report has not been taken seriously).
3. Submit a written report if your workplace has a formal H&S reporting system/tool.
4. Report your concerns to your union or health and safety representative. A safety representative will be able to give you confidential help and advice with health and safety concerns or complaints.
5. Report your concerns to the HSE via an online form or via telephone (if none of the above resolves the issue or you believe health and safety laws are being broken, putting you or others at risk of serious harm).

The HSE warns that addressing health and safety should not be seen as a regulatory burden and the main benefits can include:

• reduced costs.
• reduced risks.
• lower employee absence and turnover rates.
• fewer accidents.
• reduced threat of legal action.
• improved standing among suppliers and partners.
• better reputation for corporate responsibility among investors, customers, and communities.
• increased productivity because employees are healthier, happier, and better motivated.

Stress can also place immense demands on our physical and mental health. HSE reported 875,000 workers suffering from work-related stress, depression or anxiety (new and long-standing) in 2022/23 (Work-related stress, depression or anxiety statistics in Great Britain, 2023). If people feel under too much stress and for too long, mental and physical illness may develop. According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD), “Promoting wellbeing can help prevent stress and create positive working environments where individuals and organisations can thrive. Good health and wellbeing can be a core enabler of employee engagement and organisational performance” (Wellbeing at Work | Factsheets | CIPD).

Through education, collaboration, and implementation of effective safety standards and practices as well as maintaining mental wellbeing in the workplace, we can achieve significant reductions in work-related injuries and illnesses. This annual observance not only commemorates those who have been affected by workplace accidents but also reinforces the ongoing commitment to ensuring that every job is a safe job.

Lizzy Turek

Client Research Associate