Ensure safety and implement a healthy workplace.

May, 23 2023

World Day for Safety and Healthy at Work is celebrated on the 28th of April every year. On 28 April 2023, the ILO celebrates this decision, bringing together experts and constituents to discuss the implications it has for the world of work, as well as how to practically implement this right in the world of work. The purpose of celebrating this day is to raise awareness about workplace safety and health issues. This thereby promotes a safe and healthy working environment for everyone. In this article, we will discuss how crucial it is to implement a safe and healthy work environment.

A safe and healthy working environment: A fundamental principle and right at work

On June 2022, the International Labour Conference adopted the Resolution on the inclusion of a safe and healthy working environment in the ILO’s framework of fundamental principles and rights at work
1. Amendment of paragraph 2 of the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (1998) to include “a safe and healthy working environment” as a fundamental principle and right at
work
2. The Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) and the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187) to be considered fundamental Conventions.
All ILO Member States have now an obligation arising from the very fact of membership in the Organization to respect, promote and realize, in good faith and in accordance with the
Constitution, the fundamental right to a safe and healthy working environment, whether or not they have ratified the relevant Conventions.

Importance of Workplace Safety and Health

Workplace violence has been the number 1 critical issue over the last few years. According to the security magazine, workplace violence has been maintaining the top spot for critical problems in the workplace as the number 1 position. In a recently published report by National Institute for occupational safety and health and other two agencies says that over the last 6 years workplace violence-related deaths have risen 11% from 2014.

Workplace safety and health are critical for the well-being of employees and employers. A safe and healthy working environment can improve productivity, reduce stress, reduce workload, reduce absenteeism, and eventually enhance the overall work experience. Additionally, workplace safety and health can prevent businesses/organizations from unusual incidents like injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. These incidents give a bad remark to the business which can negatively impact the growth of the business.

Hence, businesses/organizations should make sure that workplace violence is something that is not practiced inside the premises. Safety and a healthy workplace environment should be maintained along with proper monitoring.

Want to read more about Workplace Violence? Click Here.

Risks associated with a lack of safety measures at the workplace

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), every day, around 7,600 people die from work-related accidents or diseases, and around 374 million non-fatal work-related injuries and illnesses occur annually. These risks can have a significant impact on employees’ physical and mental health, leading to long-term consequences.

The employee is the heart of any workplace. For any business/organization, an Employee is a precious asset. But when employers don’t ensure the safety and health of employees this will result in losing the precious asset. Hence it is necessary for employers of businesses to look after their employees. They need to make sure that the work environment is safe and secure for employees. Safety workplace has many benefits which effect positively on the growth of both employees and businesses. Thus it is the responsibility of employers to ensure that employees have no complaints about the safety of the workplace.

The risks associated with a lack of safety measures at the workplace are: