The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is observed annually on April 28th. The International Labour Organization (ILO) initiated this day in 2003 to raise awareness about the importance of creating safe and healthy workplaces and to stress the prevention of accidents and diseases at work. The theme for World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2024 is ‘The impacts of climate change on occupational safety and health’.

Climate change presents a range of direct and indirect challenges to occupational safety and health (OSH) in diverse industries worldwide. It heightens health risks for workers worldwide. Rising temperatures, extreme weather, and environmental pollutants are increasing hazards like heat exposure, UV radiation, and air pollution. This leads to health issues such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and mental health disorders. Ensuring a secure and healthy work environment necessitates the integration of OSH measures into workplaces.

On the occasion of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2024, the ILO has launched a new report titled “Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate,” which reveals alarming new data on the impact of climate change on workers’ safety and health.

This report highlights the impacts of climate change on OSH, emphasizing key issues such as excessive heat, UV radiation, extreme weather events, workplace air pollution, vector-borne diseases, and agrochemicals. Its aim is to raise awareness of the urgent global health threat facing workers.

Read the report: https://www.ilo.org/publications/ensuring-safety-and-health-work-changing-climate

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety management systems related to workplace safety and health.

ISO 45001 is an international standard for occupational health and safety management systems. It provides a framework for organizations to manage and improve their occupational health and safety performance, reduce workplace accidents and illnesses, and create a safe and healthy work environment for employees and other stakeholders.

It is applicable to all types of organizations, regardless of their size, industry, or location.

The standard sets out requirements for an occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS), including policies, procedures, and controls for identifying and managing occupational health and safety risks, promoting worker participation and consultation, and continually improving the OHSMS. It also emphasizes the importance of leadership, employee involvement, and communication in achieving a strong safety culture.

Implementing ISO 45001 can bring several benefits to an organization, including:

• Improved health and safety culture: By implementing ISO 45001, organizations can establish a culture that promotes continuous improvement and engagement from all employees. This can lead to a reduction in accidents and injuries in the workplace.
• Reduced costs: Implementing ISO 45001 can help organizations reduce costs associated with accidents and injuries, such as medical expenses, workers’ compensation claims, and lost productivity.
• Demonstrated compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements: ISO 45001 can help organizations comply with legal requirements related to occupational health and safety, which can help them avoid fines and legal penalties.
• Enhanced reputation: Organizations that implement ISO 45001 demonstrate a commitment to the safety and well-being of their employees, which can improve their reputation among customers, employees, and other stakeholders.
• Improved employee morale and motivation: Employees who feel safe and secure at work are more likely to be satisfied with their job, which can lead to increased retention rates, leading to increased productivity and improved performance.
• Improved risk management: By identifying and addressing potential hazards in the workplace, organizations can improve their risk management practices and prevent accidents and injuries from occurring.
• Increased productivity: By reducing accidents and incidents, organizations can improve productivity by reducing downtime, absenteeism, and staff turnover. This can result in cost savings and increased profitability.

For more information on ISO 45001:

The World Day for Safety and Health at Work serves as a poignant reminder to prioritize safe work practices. It underscores not only the significance of maintaining a secure workplace but also emphasizes the critical need to integrate safety measures into our daily routines and activities.

References:

United Nations: https://www.un.org/en/observances/work-safety-day

For more information about the article, you may contact:

Lydia Annie Ho
Regional Marketing Manager
Email                : lydiaannie.ho@gicgrp.com
Tel                    : +65 6742 3075