INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK

THEME: EXPLORING THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
DATE: 28TH APRIL 2024.
Written by: OLAYEMI AYOMIDE AMINAT

The World Day for safety and health at work is an annual international campaign to promote safe, healthy and decent work. It is held every 28th April and has been observed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) since 2003. World day for safety and health at work is an awareness raising campaign intended to focus on how to promote, create a safety and healthy culture that can reduce the numbers of work related death and injuries.

This day provides an opportunity for people and groups to advocate for a workplace culture that prioritizes safety and
health. This year’s theme focuses on exploring the impacts of climate change on occupational safety and health. Climate change isn’t just harming our planet and our wellbeing; it is also making work more dangerous. It can also make work place more hazardous, leading to a higher risk of injuries, illnesses and even death. The dangers can range from physical injuries due to extreme weather events to serious health problems such as cancer, heart diseases, difficulties in breathing, eye diseases and even mental health issues due to exposures from land, air and water pollutions.

World Day for Safety and Health at work encourages safe and healthy working conditions for all workers, regardless of occupation or industry. The day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of preventing accidents and illnesses at workplace, support a value of safety and healthy practices in the workplace. According to the ILO, around 2.78 million workers die yearly due to work related accidents or diseases, while 378 million suffer from nonfatal-related work illnesses or accidents. These numbers show the need for continuous efforts to improve safety and health at work globally.

One of our policies is on Human Resource, as organization we take priority to the staff health and wellbeing. We also develop our staff, intern and researchers to better skills for a good work environment. We believe in our staff strengths and weaknesses and strive to come up with activities to improve their health, safety and confidence.

“Climate Change is a big issue as it affects our health and safety at work. Act now!!.”