Safety and Health at Work
The annual World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28 April promotes the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally. It is an awareness-raising campaign intended to focus international attention on the magnitude of the problem and on how promoting and creating a safety and health culture can help reduce the number of work-related deaths and injuries.
Why is Safety and Health at Work important?
Health and Safety are important because it protects the well being of employers, visitors, and customers. Looking after Health and Safety makes good business sense. Workplaces that neglect health and safety risk prosecution, may lose staff and may increase costs, and reduce profitability.
How to observe Safety and Health at Work
- Your safety is your personal responsibility.
- Always follow the correct procedures.
- Never take shortcuts.
- Take responsibility and clean up if you made a mess.
- Clean and organize your workspace.
- Ensure a clear and easy route to emergency exits and equipment.
- Be alert and awake on the job.
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Tip:
Each of us is responsible for stopping deaths and injuries on the job. As governments we are responsible for providing the infrastructure — laws and services — necessary to ensure that workers remain employable and that enterprises flourish; this includes the development of a national policy and programme and a system of inspection to enforce compliance with occupational safety and health legislation and policy. As employers, we are responsible for ensuring that the working environment is safe and healthy. As workers we are responsible to work safely and protecting ourselves and not to endanger others, knowing our rights, and participate in the implementation of preventive measures.
When workers aren’t alert to their surroundings because they are burned out, they are at an increased risk of having a work-related illness or injury. To stay fresh on the job, take regular breaks. Consider scheduling your most difficult jobs when you first arrive on the job. You will stay more alert.
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Resources
Educate everyone in the workplace about the safety requirements and consider posting a list of workplace safety tips. A workplace safety training will help them reduce or eliminate injuries and illnesses from occurring in the workplace.
Reference Sites
- UN and other international NGO
- Non-Profits website for the observance
