Working for a safer world

Organisations around the globe are being urged to look at how they prevent accidents ahead of two international events promoting safety. The United Nations’ World Day for Safety and Health at Work is marked on 28 April, which is also the International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers.

The UN day aims to highlight the benefits of creating a positive health and safety culture and raise awareness of the problems and dangers that still exist. It also shines a spotlight on the new risks that have emerged with advances in technology and changes to working conditions.

To mark this year’s day, the International Labour Organization (ILO), is launching a new report called ‘Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate’. A global event discussing how to protect workers will be held on 25 April and more resources and the report will be available on the ILO’s website.

The organisation said: “As climate change intensifies, workers around the globe find themselves at an increased risk of exposure to hazards such as excessive heat, ultraviolet radiation, extreme weather events, air pollution, vector-borne diseases and agrochemicals. The time to act is now!”

The International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers was launched by trade union organisations in 1997 and this year’s theme is ‘The Climate Crisis and Workers’ Health’. In the UK, Unite the Union has released a set of resources to help workplaces arrange events and spread the message about safety. Find out more on their website.