Occupational hazards - September 22

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY and health challenges are not new, and I find it very disturbing whenever I hear about poor treatment of workers or about sub-standard working conditions, particularly anything which puts people’s safety, health and wellbeing at risk.

Sadly, such ill-treatment, poor working conditions and poor occupational safety and health practices often leads to an accident resulting in injuries, diseases and deaths. In fact, it is estimated that nearly three million people die every year around the world from work-related diseases and injuries. This equates to nearly one worker dying every ten seconds.

When you consider the fact that these deaths are largely preventable, this is simply unacceptable. No one should have their life impacted in this way by the work that they do. 

So, there is a huge amount of work to do, particularly when you factor in the changing world of work, which brings positive and negative implications for the safety, health and wellbeing of workers. 

It was against this backdrop that a hugely significant moment occurred in June 2022, when the International Labour Organization (ILO) formally adopted a safe and healthy work environment as a fundamental principle and right at work. 

We view this as the biggest moment for workers’ rights around the world in nearly a quarter of a century, since the ILO first adopted the four original fundamental principles and rights at work in the 1998 Declaration: freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining; the elimination of all forms of forced labour or compulsory labour; the effective abolition of child labour; and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

This is something that the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has called for over many years. Adding this fifth principle and right is potentially a real game-changer for workers and is a major step in the right direction toward reducing the terrible toll of workplace accidents and exposure to things harmful to health.

Why is this significant?

It’s a real game-changer, a significant step in reducing the terrible toll of workplace accidents, as it will require action by government and employers and worker participation. 

Following this decision, Member States of the ILO will be called to respect, promote, and achieve a safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental principle and right at work. This recognises and renews the collective efforts and shared responsibilities across governments, employers and with workers. 

It means globally that businesses will need to have more emphasis on protecting workers and preventing workplace accidents and diseases which includes exposure to substances which are harmful to people’s health.

Essentially, any business that views occupational safety and health as an optional extra will no longer be able to afford to do so. Ensuring a safe and healthy working environment must be right at the heart of the business, and within its core values and operations. This is about the protection of workers against injury, sickness and disease due to work. They must prevent harm, provide good working conditions and decent work, and take a human-centred approach for the good of all workers.

Doing so will go a long way to preventing and minimising the risk of work-related accidents, injuries and diseases. 

Change won’t happen overnight. But we call on businesses along with regulators, governments and policymakers to take action now and join the effort to prevent harm in the workplace. 

Ruth Wilkinson is head of health and safety at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. For more information, visit www.iosh.com