Throughout Scotland communities will gather on Friday 28th April to remember those killed or who have suffered injury at work. International Workers’ Memorial Day provides an opportunity for trade unions to reinforce their commitment to campaigning for safer and healthier workplaces where workers are protected from harm and treated with fairness, dignity and respect. STUC: more
By DANNY CAVANAGH
Throughout the world each day, thousands are diagnosed with a terminal illness, become disabled, are injured or die due to workplace conditions.
Each year, April 28 is recognized as the Day of Mourning — a tradition that began here in Canada. It is a day when unions, governments and businesses publicly acknowledge workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths.
Many flags fly at half-mast to recognize the lives needlessly lost and the tremendous suffering of those who must cope in the wake of workplace tragedies. April 28 is also a day when together we renew our commitment to improving workplace health and safety rules and legislation to bring an end to such needless suffering.
This coming May 9 will mark 25 years since the Westray mine disaster in Plymouth. more
Less than one in three women are given protective clothing specifically designed for women, according to a report published by the TUC today (Friday). more
Who lives and who dies at work is not an accident of chance – the higher your pay grade, the lower your risk #iwmd17
It’s the biggest health and safety event in the world, and it is brought to you by unions and campaigners. What are you doing? #iwmd17
BWI affiliates in South Asia have been be encouraged to submit letters to their respective Governments in support of a proposal to amend Article 22 of the Rotterdam Convention being considered at the conference – which runs from 25 April to 5 May. The current voting system allows a single government in the pocket of the asbestos, chemical or pesticides lobby to block the listing of even the most dangerous substances under the ‘prior informed consent’ system, which requires a health warning to accompany exports. www.pic.int
Commenting on Workers’ Memorial Day, which takes place tomorrow 28 April, ITF president Paddy Crumlin said: “This is the day we remember all those, known and unknown, friends and strangers, who have suffered injury or death in the workplace. It’s the day we remember the dead and fight for the living.
“But remembering is not enough. Workplace deaths are preventable deaths. We have a duty as trade unionists and as human beings to fight back against what amounts to a continuing slaughter. We must enshrine health and safety at work and ensure that employers treasure it too. We have to live and breathe it, and make sure everyone else does too. It must be supported, paid for and promoted until every workplace is a safe place.”
ITF general secretary Steve Cotton added: “Worldwide, transport workers labour in some of the most dangerous environments there are: on sea, on land and in the air. Often isolated, sometime facing violence and the threat of violence. Our unions are working together to minimise those risks, share knowledge and strategies, and build safe workplaces. On Workers’ Memorial Day we take a moment to remember the lost, before returning to the struggle to build a better future. “
For more information about Workers’ Memorial Day see www.28april.org
ENDS
ITF communications: getting the message out – when and where it matters
Twitter: @itfglobalunion
The TUC has published a new guide for trade union representatives to help them take gender differences between men and women into account when identifying health and safety concerns at work.
Gender in occupational health and safety says that historically the health and safety needs of men in the workplace have been prioritised over women. Risk prevention has focused on visibly dangerous work – largely carried out by men – in industries like construction and mining, with an assumption that the kind of work that women do is safer.
However, the guidance argues that a gender-stereotyped or ‘one size fits all’ approach is now out-of-date. It has been issued in the run up to International Workers’ Memorial Day next week (Friday 28 April), the theme of which this year is ‘good health and safety for all workers – whoever they are’.
Where the differences between men and women are taken into account when assessing risk and deciding suitable risk control solutions, there is a greater chance of ensuring that the health, safety and welfare of all workers is protected, says the TUC.
The new guide outlines some of the main health and safety risks women can face at work:
The handbook also provides a checklist for trade union representatives to help them pursue issues around gender at work – including questions about whether sex and gender differences are taken into account in manual handling risk assessments, and in assessments of postural problems including prolonged standing or sitting.
The findings should help union reps encourage employers to take action on the issues that will make a real difference to the health, safety and welfare of women in their workplaces.
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “People come in all shapes and sizes and when it comes to health and safety, the ‘one size fits all’ approach is old-fashioned and dangerous. Nowhere is that clearer then when looking at gender.
“Pressing for healthy, safe workplaces for everyone is part and parcel of the union rep’s role, and the TUC’s new gender checklist will help reps to pursue issues around gender in the workplace, and make sure that all workers have the best possible protection from illness or injury.
“Safety studies show that workers are twice as likely to be seriously injured in a non-unionised workplace. I would urge any man or woman worried about their health and safety at work to join a union, to make sure that their concerns are heard and that their interests are protected.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
– Gender in occupational health and safety is available at www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/Gender%202017.docx
– Trade unions have been at the forefront of a number of campaigns to ensure that women’s health and safety at work is taken seriously, including:
– International Workers’ Memorial Day serves as a reminder to workers across the globe that many of them are at daily risk of accidents, injury and illness at work. The event is an international annual day of remembrance and action for workers killed, disabled and injured by their work. For more information about the TUC’s involvement in the day please visit www.tuc.org.uk/workplace-issues/health-and-safety/workers-memorial-day
The National Day of Mourning, held annually on April 28, is dedicated to remembering those who have lost their lives, or suffered injury or illness on the job. This annual event was initiated by the labour movement 33 years ago to increase awareness of on-the-job injuries and fatal workplace accidents. This day of remembrance was officially recognized by the federal government in 1991, more than eight years after it was launched by the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) to raise awareness of on-the-job injuries and fatal workplace accidents.
While the National Day of Mourning is now recognized in over 100 countries, including Canada, and is observed each year, there is still a lot of work to accomplish to improve workers’ safety. A number of Canadian legislative provisions dealing with occupational health and safety are deemed exemplary internationally, but most Canadian governments have not provided the necessary resources to ensure they are applied.
At Canada Post, we’ve mourned the loss of workers. We’ve had to go through the grief and pain associated with the death of a sister or brother. This year, on April 28, the CLC will commemorate the Westray Mine disaster, in Nova Scotia, where 26 miners lost their life at work following a methane gas explosion. This tragedy led to the adoption, in March 2004, of Bill C-45 that provides for the attribution of criminal liability to organizations and their representatives who fail to abide by their health and safety obligations.
On April 28, we take the time to remember those who lost their lives, suffered injuries or became disabled on the job. We must all commit to continuing the struggle to force employers and governments to fulfill their obligation to make every workplace a safe and healthy one. We must also continue seeking stronger health and safety standards and protection, and better enforcement in our workplaces.
http://www.cupw.ca/en/national-day-mourning-%E2%80%93-april-28-2017-%E2%80%93-cupw-shows-respect
Cada año, el 28 de abril, los sindicatos de todo el mundo organizan eventos para celebrar el Día Mundial de la Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo. Este año, la ICM se complace en confirmar el tema internacional “¡Los Sindicatos Hacen que el Trabajo sea Más Seguro!”.
Los sindicatos tienen una responsabilidad considerable por garantizar que los empleadores adopten medidas para evitar riesgos en la salud y por cuidar la vida de los trabajadores; todo esto mientras los trabajadores siguen siendo asesinados, heridos y enfermos mientras realizan trabajos de rutina. Los peligros son bien conocidos y también lo son las medidas de prevención. La abrumadora mayoría de los “accidentes” son absolutamente previsibles y prevenibles. Son causadas por la falta de gestión de los riesgos o por negligencia directa por parte del empleador. Más