The annual World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28 April promotes the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally.
In June 2022, the International Labour Conference decided to include “a safe and healthy working environment” in the International Labour Organization’s framework of fundamental principles and rights at work. On this occasion, the Occupational Safety and Health Convention and the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, were declared fundamental conventions.
As a result of this decision, all member states, even if they have not ratified the Conventions in question, have an obligation, arising from the very fact of membership in the Organisation, to respect, to promote and to realise, in good faith and in accordance with the Constitution, the principles concerning the fundamental rights which are the subject of those Conventions.
World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2023 will explore the topic of a safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental principle and right at work. Good work design supports this right by fostering a safe and healthy physical and psychosocial environment for workers.
Organisations have a duty to consider good work design, which encompass four key considerations:
- The work, including how work is preformed, the task duration, frequency, and complexity.
- Workers’ needs, preferences and capacities.
- The physical environment, including the workplace itself, plant, equipment, materials, and substances.
- The systems and processes involved in the work, including information technology, business management and human interaction.
Good work design can transform the workplace to benefit the business, employees, clients, and others in the supply chain. It can:
- Protect workers from harm to their health and safety.
- Improve worker health and wellbeing.
- Improve job satisfaction and performance.
- Improve business success through higher worker productivity and innovation.
Good work design can eliminate and minimise hazards and risks at the source.
By promoting liberty, fairness, protection, and human decency at employment, World Day for Safety and Health at Work aims to increase awareness of the importance of work safety.
A safe and healthy working environment is a fundamental principle and right at work.
World Day for Safety and Health at Work Official Poster (20 MB)