April 28 is World Day for Safety and Health at Work

The ILO States that that the collection and utilization of reliable OSH data is indispensable for the detection of new hazards and emerging risks, the identification of hazardous sectors, the development of preventive measures, as well as the implementation of policies, systems and programs at international, national and enterprise levels. OSH data provides the basis for setting priorities and measuring progress.

The ILO has provided a Tool Box for the Collection and Use of OSH data. The materials included guidance on a number of areas to be considered for improving national systems of recording and notification, as well as complementary methods for occupational safety and health (OSH) data collection for prevention purposes.

Every day, 6,300 people die as a result of occupational accidents or work-related diseases.  The International Labour Organization (ILO) has observed the World Day on Safety and Health at Work to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally since 2003.

As stricter legislation is enforced, companies have adopted and implemented their own systems and procedures to assist with providing a safe working environment for their employees.  Senior executives believe that safety is a top priority and companies are much more conscious of their brand and image. They want to be perceived positively by consumers, the media and potential employees.

The way we share safety information has changed. Organisations are shifting towards a paperless work environment. myosh HSEQ Software is cloud based with smart mobile app functionality for simplified data collection, inspection and incident/hazard reporting.

Interactive Dashboards transform HSEQ/OSH data into intelligent visual charts, maps and tables, providing powerful organisational insight.  Team Leaders can instantly access vital data, identify trends, filter, analyse and report for quick action.  Quick and easy data access enables better decisions that achieve real change in safety habits, productivity and performance.

Olivier Touchais, global manager general safety, Honeywell Industrial Safety: said "With an estimated 2.3 million people worldwide dying every year as a result of occupational accidents or work-related diseases, the need to rethink occupational health and safety remains a top priority. The ability to collect and use reliable occupational safety and health (OSH) data is key to enhancing worker protection.

"Employers need to not only consider the workforce’s safety but also its long-term health. Reliable data is vital to identifying exposure levels, not only to potentially fatal substances such as gas but also to other seemingly invisible risks such as particulates and excessive noise, which can cause permanent damage over time.

"Workers may not show any clear symptoms of the injury until it is too late for treatment to be effective. As a result, every year there are 160 million cases of non-fatal work-related diseases, which, in most cases, could easily be prevented by adopting effective data-based control measures.

"The importance of capturing real-time OSH data lies in that fact that safety managers can gain an in-the-moment view of a worker’s location and circumstances. By interpreting and using this critical information, employers can respond more quickly and effectively to a safety threat. For example, data could be used to inform decisions about working patterns so that a worker’s exposure levels over a particular shift are reduced.

"Connected technology that provides safety managers with more intelligent data will enable them to identify risks to workers before it’s too late and make better-informed decisions that can drive continuous improvements in health and safety.

"This approach can also enable safety managers to access vast streams of data that can help them assess whether workers have the right training in the use of their protective equipment. They can also use the information to ensure that a worker’s protection is up to date, well-maintained and fit for purpose."

www.ilo.org/safework/events/safeday/lang–en/index.htm