Tag Archives: IOSH

2023, 2023 global, Events listing, News

Global: How the Commonwealth is moving on safety

On this World Day for Safety and Health at Work (28 April 2023), the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), the world’s leading chartered professional body for people responsible for safety and health in the workplace, celebrates the 10 months that have passed since the International Labour Organization (ILO) adopted a safe and healthy work environment as a fundamental principle and right.

With IOSH being part of the family of Commonwealth-accredited organisations, we’re doing this by focusing on the Commonwealth’s growing commitment to developing good occupational safety and health (OSH). So, here we profile OSH professionals from 10 Commonwealth players (including the Commonwealth Secretariat, in London) – one for each month since the historic ILO adoption – to show how they’ve each ‘struck a blow’ for the ILO… and an exciting new era for OSH around the globe.

Here are two of the 10 Commonwealth profiles (a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries), featuring the President of UK headquartered IOSH, Lawrence Webb and the Commonwealth Secretariat, based in London, but you can link to all the other Commonwealth profiles at How Commonwealth is ‘striking a blow’ for ILO | IOSH.

Read more here

 

2021, 2021 global, Events listing

Global: “Work should support life – not endanger it”, says IOSH

Two annual events taking place on 28 April serve as a reminder of the importance of the occupational safety and health profession in protecting workers.

On International Workers’ Memorial Day, organised by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), we remember those who have lost their lives or suffered life-changing injuries or illness at work.

These tragedies could have been prevented. This is why 28 April also marks World Day for Safety and Health at Work, which raises awareness of actions to prevent injury and death at work. It is an initiative of the International Labour Organization, which this year is focusing on strategies to strengthen national occupational safety and health systems to build resilience, to face crises now and in the future. IOSH’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for a systematic approach to protecting workers: preparedness is the key to prevention.

Jimmy Quinn, President of IOSH, said: “Our members – occupational safety and health professionals – have had a crucial role in responding to the pandemic. They’ve helped to ensure that safe practices and procedures have been introduced and implemented in the workplace to protect workers, customers and suppliers. If ever there was a time for our members to demonstrate the value of their knowledge, skills and experience, it has been now. IOSH has supported them by producing and sharing up-to-date guidance, continuing to be a trusted and authoritative source of information throughout the pandemic.

“Yet we also remember that even before the pandemic 2.78 million people were dying each year from work-related illness and injury. These deaths are even more tragic because they are preventable.”

The following figures from the ITUC show the scale of the challenges in protecting people at work:

  • every day 7,600 workers die of work accidents or disease
  • every minute 730 people are poisoned by pesticides
  • worldwide, one health worker dies from Covid-19 every 30 minutes.

Jimmy added: “These shocking facts remind us of the need to redouble our efforts with governments, business and labour to bring about radical change in how work is organised. Work should support life. It should not do the opposite – endanger life. This is the overarching message from IOSH on this day of remembrance and motivation to protect workers around the world.

“IOSH has always advocated that the best approach is prevention first. Anticipating and preparing for risks requires investment in and good management of resilient occupational safety and health systems. It also requires a competent, trained and experienced occupational safety and health profession.”

IOSH has been added to the register of participants in the United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, aligning our strategy to universal principles on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. We are committed to being an exemplar of sustainability in supporting the health, safety and wellbeing of all workers.

IOSH is encouraging members and others to observe a minute’s silence at 11am BST on 28 April to pay tribute to those who have died or suffered life-changing injuries or illness at work.

https://iosh.com/more/news-listing/work-should-support-life/