World Day for Safety and Health at Work

World Day for Safety and Health at Work, or Safety Day, is celebrated every year on April 28. This day recognises the importance of preventing occupational accidents and other diseases and aims to raise awareness about the same. First celebrated by the International Labour Organization in 2003, World Safety and Health Day is now celebrated worldwide.

Every year, millions of lives are lost due to health or safety hazards at work, making it necessary to educate people about safety norms. In this article, we have shared more about World Day for Safety and Health at Work, and how it helps in raising awareness about safety norms.

World Safety and Health Day 2023

The aim of World Day for Safety and Health at Work is to safeguard lives against work-related accidents by educating people about safety norms and protocols. This day was established by the International Labour Organization in 2003. The United Nations adopted World Safety and Health Day and now, it is celebrated every year on April 28.

According to International Labour Organization, a safe and healthy working environment is a worker’s principal right. Learn more about World Day for Safety and Health at Work from the table shared below.

World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2023 Theme

Every year on World Safety and Health Day, a discussion around a specific topic or theme takes place. The International Labour Organization announces these themes annually. World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2023 theme is “A safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental principle and right at work”.

The World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2022 theme was “Act together to build a positive safety and health culture”. This theme highlighted the topic of social dialogue and participation to create a safe and healthy work culture.

World Safety and Health Day - Objective

• The primary objective of World Safety and Health Day is to prevent diseases and occupational accidents worldwide.
• It is also referred to as an awareness-raising campaign that focuses on the International attention of creating a happy and healthy work culture in the workplace and reducing the number of work-related deaths and injuries.
• ILO (International Labour Organisation) uses Safety Day to create awareness and promote the adoption of safe practices in the workplace and highlights the role of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH).
• World Safety and Health Day also aim to promote a healthy work culture.

What is a Safe and Healthy Work Culture?

Indian Labour Organisation defines a healthy work culture where:

• The rights to a safe and happy working environment are respected and provided at all levels.
• All the members of the workplace work together and participate actively to secure a healthy and safe environment by following the defined rights and responsibilities.
• The highest priority is accorded to the rule of prevention.

World Day for Safety and Health at Work - History

International Labour Organisation started celebrating World Day for Safety and Health at Work day in 2003 to reduce the accidents and diseases caused at workplaces.

• The International Labour Organization is an agency under the United Nations that deals with labour issues, such as international labour standards, social and personal protection, new work opportunities, and much more.
• The United Nations adopted World Safety and Health Day.
• In 1969, ILO also received the Nobel Peace Prize for achieving a great improvement in the area of fraternity and peace among several nations.
• India is one of the founding members of ILO.

World Safety and Health Day - Significance

The major points of significance of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work are as follows.

• World Safety and Health Day promotes the habit of healthy work culture.
• An employee's willingness and desire to work hard, stay longer, behave ethically, and get along with co-workers is, among other things, largely dependent on the degree to which the employee enjoys positive relationships within the work environment.
• April 28 is also recognised as the International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers. The Trade Union movement has organised events for this day since 1996.
• The COVID-19 pandemic made it essential for everyone to ensure that the employees are not at any risk of catching and infecting themselves with the virus.
• World Day for Safety and Health at Work also focuses on the importance of improving the infrastructure, making rules and regulations, and providing necessary services to employees at all levels.

FAQs on World Day for Safety and Health at Work

Q1. When do we celebrate World Day for Safety and Health at Work?

The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is celebrated on 28 April every year. This day raises awareness about the safety and health protocols that everyone should follow in a workplace to secure their and others’ lives.

Q2. What is the theme of World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2023?

World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2023 theme is “A safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental principle and right at work”. The International Labour Organization will hold a conference on World Safety and Health Day, focusing on the theme.

Q3. What is the objective of World Day for Safety and Health at Work?

The objective of World Day for Safety and Health at Work is to promote the habit of healthy work culture. It also aims to educate people about safety and health protocols so that everybody can be safe in the workplace.

Q4. When was World Day for Safety and Health at Work adopted?

The International Labour Organisation started World Day for Safety and Health at Work in 2003 to prevent accidents and diseases caused at workplaces. Eventually, World Safety and Health Day was adopted by the United Nations and it is celebrated worldwide now.

Q5. How to celebrate World Safety and Health Day?

You can celebrate World Day for Safety and Health at Work by educating yourself and others about common safety protocols. It is a day to raise awareness about workplace safety, so you can organize an event for the same at your workplace.

Q6. Which other day is recognised on the World Day for Safety and Health at Work?

Other than World Day for Safety and Health at Work, April 28 is also recognized as the International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers. The trade union movement has organised events for this day since 1996.