Compiled by Tibor Szana, Chief Inspector OHS (Ret.)
Every year, the global community has earmarked a single day on the calendar to celebrate the worker who everyday leaves his/her home in order to participate and contribute towards the various facets that make up our existence from agriculture, supplying electricity, delivering people in various modes of travel, manufacturing of the modes of travel and so many other goods and services on a daily basis in the presence of sometimes the harshest of working environments. We also use this day to do the most unfortunate act and that is to commemorate the lives of those workers whose lives were lost during the carrying out of their work in the past year.
While we honour the injured and fallen workers by paying tribute to them, we are cognisant that these injuries and fatalities can be prevented and substantially reduced, remembering that it is both a day for commemoration and celebration.
Since 2003, the ILO has observed the World Day for Health and safety at Work on April 28 capitalising on its traditional strengths of tripartism and social dialogue. The ILO celebrates the World Day for Health and Safety at Work on the 28 April to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally. It is an awareness raising campaign intended to focus global attention on emerging trends in the field of occupational health and safety and on the magnitude of work related injuries, diseases and fatalities worldwide. Let us also not forget those who suffer from serious and sometimes debilitating mental illnesses at the workplace.
The 28 April continues to be seen as a day to raise global awareness on occupational health and safety among trade unions, employers’ organisations and government representatives alike. The ILO acknowledges the shared responsibility of key stakeholders and encourages them to promote a preventive health and safety culture to fulfil their obligations and responsibilities for preventing deaths, injuries and diseases in the workplace, allowing workers to return safely to their homes at the end of the working day.
A MOMENT TO REMEMBER ….
Let us take a moment then to remember the lives and limbs that were lost as well as those who have become seriously injured or permanently disabled.
THEME
The theme for this year, 2023 is: “A safe and healthy working environment is a fundamental principle and right at work”
In essence, the 28 April 2023, under the leadership of the ILO, will be used to celebrate 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 ILO will also present findings of research on the implementation status of various provisions of the fundamental Conventions No. 155 and No. 187.
World Day for Health and safety at Work 2023 (Health and safety at work) (ilo.org)
[All material for this event is provided ahead of time by the ILO free of charge to assist those who are planning to commemorate/celebrate the day)
In conclusion
Each one of us as citizens of South Africa has an essential responsibility to ensure that people go to work and come home alive, uninjured, and healthy.
This year, on ‘World Day for Health and safety at Work’, we can celebrate an important step towards this goal viz. the designation of a safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental principle and right at work.
All ILO Member States and signatories (of which South Africa is one) are now expected to respect, realize, and promote this principle, and the two fundamental conventions at its core.
It is the start of a long journey. But it is a step in the right direction, “TOWARDS DECENT WORK AND SOCIAL JUSTICE FOR ALL”.
[References: ILO]