Arshad Mahmood Awan
The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an annual event observed on 28th April to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases worldwide. The International Labour Organization (ILO) initiated this celebration in 2003 as part of its Global Strategy on Occupational Safety and Health, which emphasizes advocacy as a key pillar. The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is a significant tool for raising awareness of the need to create a safety and health culture in the workplace and to raise the political profile of occupational safety and health.
The primary objective of this day is to focus international attention on the magnitude of the problem of work-related deaths and injuries and to encourage stakeholders to take measures to prevent them. It serves as an awareness-raising campaign that highlights the importance of making work safe and healthy and the role of governments, employers, and workers in achieving this goal.
The day also commemorates the International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers organized worldwide by the trade union movement since 1996. It recognizes the need to prevent occupational accidents and diseases and emphasizes the responsibilities of all stakeholders in ensuring the safety and health of workers.
Governments play a critical role in providing the necessary infrastructure, laws, and services to ensure that workers remain employable and enterprises flourish. This includes the development of a national policy and program, as well as a system of inspection to enforce compliance with occupational safety and health legislation and policy. Employers are responsible for ensuring that the working environment is safe and healthy, while workers are responsible for working safely and protecting themselves and others.
New and emerging occupational risks may arise from technical innovation or social and organizational change. These risks may include new technologies and production processes such as nanotechnology and biotechnology, new working conditions like higher workloads and work intensification from downsizing, poor conditions associated with migration for work, and jobs in the informal economy. Emerging forms of employment like self-employment, outsourcing, and temporary contracts also pose new risks that need to be addressed.
It is essential to recognize these emerging risks and take preventive measures to ensure the safety and health of workers. This requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including governments, employers, workers, and their representatives. The World Day for Safety and Health at Work serves as a reminder of the importance of creating a culture of safety and health in the workplace and the need for continued efforts to prevent occupational accidents and diseases. It is imperative to promote safe and healthy working conditions and to raise awareness of the need for political commitment and action to prevent work-related deaths and injuries.
Climate change is not just a global issue, but an urgent and complex one that is already impacting our planet, human health, and the world of work. As the Earth’s temperature continues to rise, our environment is becoming less predictable and more hazardous, posing immediate and significant challenges for occupational safety and health (OSH).
In recent years, we have witnessed a significant increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, droughts, floods, and hurricanes. These events pose a significant risk to workers in various sectors, including agriculture, construction, transportation, and emergency services. For instance, according to [specific study or report], the number of heat-related illnesses among outdoor workers has increased by [specific percentage] over the past [specific number of years]. This underscores the urgent need to address the impact of climate change on occupational safety and health.
Moreover, climate change is also exacerbating air pollution, which is already a significant cause of premature death and disease worldwide. As global temperatures rise, so too does the concentration of ground-level ozone, a harmful pollutant that can cause respiratory problems, as well as the formation of fine particulate matter, which is linked to heart and lung diseases.
In addition, climate change is also affecting the spread of vector-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus, which are transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects. These diseases are already a significant public health concern, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions, and the changing climate is likely to increase their prevalence and geographic range, putting workers at increased risk of infection.
To effectively address the challenges posed by climate change to occupational safety and health, it is crucial to integrate OSH practices into climate policies and vice versa. This comprehensive approach should consider the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of climate change, and the complex interplay between these factors. Most importantly, it should emphasize the need for collaboration between governments, employers, workers, and other stakeholders. This collective action is the key to developing effective policies and practices that protect workers’ safety and health.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has been at the forefront of efforts to promote a safe and healthy working environment in a changing climate. Its report, “Ensuring Safety and Health at Work in a Changing Climate,” highlights the urgent need for action to address the challenges posed by climate change to workers’ safety and health. The report calls for greater investment in OSH measures, including training, education, and awareness-raising, as well as the development of new technologies and approaches that can help mitigate the impacts of climate change on workers.
Lastly, the impacts of climate change on occupational safety and health are complex, multifaceted, and urgent. It is essential to adopt a comprehensive approach that integrates OSH practices into climate policies and vice versa. Collaboration between governments, employers, workers, and other stakeholders is essential to develop effective policies and practices that protect workers’ safety and health in a changing climate. By working together, we can ensure that workers around the world can continue to play a vital role in our economy and society while also safeguarding their health and well-being.
Pakistan can learn from the World Day for Safety and Health at Work by taking a proactive approach to preventing occupational accidents and diseases. The country can work on developing a national policy and program to ensure that all workers have safe and healthy working conditions and that all stakeholders understand their roles and responsibilities. Pakistan can also focus on addressing emerging risks, such as those associated with new technologies, working conditions, or employment forms. By promoting a culture of safety and health in the workplace, Pakistan can raise awareness of the importance of preventing work-related deaths and injuries and take action to protect workers’ well-being. Furthermore, Pakistan can integrate OSH practices into climate policies to address the challenges posed by climate change to occupational safety and health. By learning from the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, Pakistan can create a safer and healthier working environment for its people, which can have positive impacts on productivity, economic growth, and social well-being.
