April 28: World Day for Safety and Health at Work

Every year the World Day for Safety and Health at Work is observed on April 28. With COVID-19 pandemic creating great challenges for governments, workers and employers, this year the day is to focus on addressing outbreak of infectious diseases at work.

This year, the day is marked under the theme

Theme: Stop the Pandemic

Highlights

The day aims to stimulate national tripartite dialogue that convened on safety and health. The day is being observed by the International Labour Organization since 2003.

International Labour Organization

The celebration of the day is a part of Global Strategy on Occupational Safety and Health. ILO also observes International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers on April 28. This is being observed since 1996.

Significance

It is important to mark the day to address emerging risks at work. This includes risks in new and emerging technologies and their production processes. For instance, biotechnology and nanotechnology. Also, the day creates awareness about new working conditions. This includes work intensification, higher work loads, challenging conditions associated with migration.

Current Scenario

With COVID-19 creating crisis all over the world, it is important to bring about adequate safety and health measures at work place. The collaboration of governments, workers and employers both nationally and internationally is the only solution to handle COVID-19.

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2020