World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2023 explores the idea of a safe, healthy working environment as a fundamental principle and right at work. World Day for Safety and Health at Work is celebrated every year on 28 April – to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally. It is an awareness-raising campaign that tries 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 accidents. Overall, the objective is to prevent occupational accidents across the globe.
This day has become more prominent since the COVID-19 pandemic; and now it is working at building a strong foundation of safety and health culture across workplaces worldwide. The idea is to curate a healthy work environment as a fundamental principle and right at work.
The origins can be traced back to 2003, when the International Labour Organization (ILO), began to observe the day – to stress on the prevention of accidents and diseases at work, capitalizing on the ILO’s traditional strengths of tripartism and social dialogue. Given ILO’s strengths of unionization and social dialogue, the strength of this day was further enhanced.
This year, the theme of the campaign for the day is – “Workplace Stress: a collective challenge”. Workplace safety has become one of the main priorities for organizations across the world. It is equally important for entrepreneurs and anyone setting up their own business.
Let’s learn how to keep your employees safe.
> Safe workplace = sound business
Employee retention and recruitment within a positive workplace culture has never been more of a priority, than today.
The main goal of a Safety & Health Programme is – to prevent workplace mishaps like injuries, illnesses and deaths, as well as the suffering and financial hardship these events can cause for workers, their families, and employers.
The tip is – to begin with a basic program and simple goals and then grow from there. If you focus on achieving goals, monitoring performance and evaluating outcomes, your workplace environment can follow the path, climbing to higher levels of safety & health.
Are we free from risks and safe at the workplace every day?
Here is where conducting a complete ‘Risk Analysis’ comes in. A risk analysis is a systematic
method of evaluating work activities, considering possible things that could go wrong, and
deciding on suitable control measures to prevent damage, injury or loss in the workplace.
Why is it important to do a risk analysis? Being unaware of the risks in your workplace means you are putting yourself, your employees, customers and the entire organization at risk. When it comes to employee safety, going above the legal minimum will help to eliminate as much of the risk as possible and reduce the number of safety-related incidents.
What are the benefits of doing a risk analysis?
– Ensure optimal productivity & enhance overall business operations
– Increase engagement & create happier employees
– Get better qualified employees
– Save money
– Create positive image
When you are seen as committed to safety in the workplace, other businesses will want to be associated with your brand.
And, last but not least,
it will also enhance employees’ social responsibility goals.
So, if you have not been doing this, start now! Create a safer workplace for your team.
Avtar Madan
Himanshu
Shree Lahiri
