Building A Culture Of Prevention: Observing World Day For Safety And Health At Work

As the nature of work continues to evolve with technological advancements, climate change, and demographic shifts, the risks to workers also change. In 2025, the observance of this day is more critical than ever.

The Origins and Purpose of World Day for Safety and Health at Work

The World Day for Safety and Health at Work was established to honor the memory of workers who have died, been injured, or become ill due to unsafe working conditions. It also raises awareness about the importance of preventing workplace accidents and diseases.

It coincides with the International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers, organized by the global trade union movement since 1996. Together, these observances focus on strengthening the culture of prevention in occupational safety and health (OSH).

The central idea behind this day is proactive: it's not only about responding to tragedies but preventing them from happening in the first place. The ILO champions the principle that every worker has the right to a safe and healthy workplace.

The Human Cost of Unsafe Work

Despite progress in many countries, the numbers remain sobering. According to the ILO, more than 2.78 million workers die each year from occupational accidents or work-related diseases. That’s more than 7,600 people every single day. In addition, over 374 million non-fatal injuries and illnesses occur annually, often resulting in extended absences from work and lost income.

These statistics, while shocking, represent real people — fathers, mothers, friends, and colleagues — whose lives are altered or cut short due to preventable hazards. The threats to workers ' health and safety span every sector from construction sites to hospitals, agriculture to gig economy jobs.

Beyond the personal toll, the economic burden is immense. The ILO estimates that poor occupational safety and health practices account for nearly 4% of global GDP annually. In countries with weaker labor protections, the percentage is even higher.

Emerging Risks in a Changing World of Work

As the workplace transforms, so too do the challenges to worker safety.

1. Technological Advancements:
Automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence are reshaping industries. While these innovations can eliminate some hazardous jobs, they also introduce new risks such as ergonomic issues, mental stress, and the need for rapid re-skilling. Additionally, workers involved in programming, maintenance, or interaction with autonomous systems face unique dangers.

2. Climate Change:
Extreme temperatures, poor air quality, and unpredictable weather patterns put outdoor workers at increasing risk. From construction workers battling heat waves to agricultural laborers exposed to pesticides and pollutants, climate change is becoming a serious occupational hazard.

3. Psychosocial Risks and Mental Health:
In the post-pandemic era, attention has turned to the mental health implications of work. Long hours, job insecurity, isolation (especially among remote workers), and workplace harassment all contribute to rising levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. These are not secondary concerns—they are core to overall worker health.

4. Informal and Precarious Employment:
Many members of the global workforce operate in informal or insecure jobs, particularly in developing countries. These workers often lack access to health care, legal protections, or training, leaving them especially vulnerable to exploitation and unsafe conditions.

What a Safe and Healthy Workplace Looks Like

Creating safe and healthy workplaces is not just a legal obligation—it's a moral imperative and a sound business strategy. A culture of safety is built on several key pillars:

-Prevention First: Proactive hazard identification, risk assessment, and effective control measures.
-Worker Participation: Involving employees in safety decisions creates a sense of ownership and improves compliance.
-Training and Education: Regular training equips workers with the knowledge and skills to protect themselves and their peers.
-Strong Legal Frameworks: National laws must align with international labor standards and be enforced consistently.
-Leadership Commitment: Safety starts at the top. Leaders who prioritize health and safety send a clear message that workers matter.

Modern OSH strategies also emphasize continuous improvement, with companies frequently revisiting and updating their safety protocols as new risks emerge.

Examples of Progress and Innovation

Around the world, numerous organizations and governments are taking bold steps to improve OSH conditions:

-In Sweden, the Vision Zero campaign is working to eliminate all workplace fatalities by embedding safety into corporate governance.
-In Singapore, the government has launched tech-driven initiatives that use AI and wearables to monitor construction site conditions in real-time.
-In Rwanda, community health programs are integrated with workplace safety training in the informal economy, reaching those previously excluded from formal protections.
-In the European Union, the "Healthy Workplaces" campaign promotes mental well-being as a core component of occupational safety, reflecting a growing trend to treat mental health with the same seriousness as physical hazards.

The Role of Stakeholders

Ensuring safety and health at work requires the collaboration of governments, employers, workers, and civil society.

-Governments must enact and enforce laws that protect workers and hold violators accountable.
-Employers are responsible for maintaining a safe working environment and providing proper equipment and training.
-Workers should be empowered to voice concerns without fear of retaliation, and they must be involved in identifying risks and crafting solutions.
-Unions and worker organizations are critical in advocating for stronger protections, especially for vulnerable populations.

Global collaboration is also key. Organizations like the ILO, the World Health Organization (WHO), and various NGOs work across borders to share knowledge, support developing countries, and set international standards.

What You Can Do

Whether you're a business leader, an employee, or a concerned citizen, there are steps you can take to support occupational safety:

-Raise Awareness: Share information about OSH on social media or within your organization.
-Promote Training: Advocate for ongoing safety education in your workplace.
-Celebrate Progress: Recognize companies or individuals leading by example in safety efforts.
-Report Hazards: Speak up when you see unsafe conditions — silence can be deadly.
-Support Legislation: Engage with policymakers to strengthen OSH laws and protections, especially for underrepresented workers.

Looking Ahead: A Culture of Prevention

This year's World Day for Safety and Health at Work theme, "A Safe and Healthy Working Environment as a Fundamental Principle and Right at Work," highlights a vital truth: workplace safety is not a privilege — it’s a human right.

Building a "culture of prevention" means embedding safety into every level of society, from schools and vocational programs to corporate boardrooms and public policy. It requires seeing safety not just as compliance, but as care.

As we observe this important day, remember that every accident prevented, every illness averted, and every life saved begins with awareness, responsibility, and action.

The future of work can be safe, dignified, and inclusive—but only if we choose to make it so.

Sidebar: Fast Facts about OSH

-2.78 million workers die annually due to work-related causes.
-374 million non-fatal work injuries occur each year.
-Poor OSH practices cost the global economy an estimated 4% of GDP.
-Mental health is now recognized as a key part of occupational safety.

The ILO’s 2022 declaration enshrined a safe and healthy work environment as a fundamental principle and right at work.

 

(Note: Dr (Prof) Sadhana Kala is a USA-trained robotic & laparoscopic surgeon, Uppsala University, Sweden, trained fertility specialist, Icon Endoscopic Surgeon of North India, and National Icon Endoscopic Surgeon of India. She is rated as India's Best Gynecologist by Google.)

(Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author.)