A Brief History of Workplace Health and Safety: From the Black Death to ILO and Beyond

Workplace health and safety is the practice of preventing or reducing the risk of injury, illness, or death for employees and others who may be harmed by work activities. Workplace health and safety is also referred to as OHS, OSH, or WHS.

Workplace health and safety can be traced back to ancient times, when workers faced hazards such as fire, dust, noise, heat, cold, falls, violence, and infectious diseases. Among the earliest documented efforts to protect workers from these hazards are:

• The Code of Hammurabi (c. 1750 BC), was a set of laws in ancient Mesopotamia that regulated various aspects of society, including workers' rights and responsibilities. The code stipulated that if a worker was injured or killed by a faulty building or equipment, the owner or builder was liable for compensation or punishment. For a severe wound, a doctor's charge would be ten silver shekels for a gentleman, five shekels for a freedman, and two shekels for a slave. Penalties for malpractice followed the same pattern: a doctor who killed a wealthy patient would have his hands severed, although if the victim was a slave, only financial reparation was required.
• The Hippocratic Oath (circa 400 BC), a pledge made by physicians in ancient Greece to uphold ethical standards and not harm their patients. The oath also prohibited physicians from treating workers who had been exposed to hazardous substances such as lead or asbestos.
• Georgius Agricola's De Re Metallica (1556), a book written by the father of mineralogy, Georgius Agricola, a German scholar, and physician. The mining industry and its hazards, such as cave-ins, explosions, gas poisoning, and lung diseases, were described in the book. Agricola also recommended some precautions, such as ventilation, protective clothing, and hygiene.

The Industrial Revolution (1760-1840) marked a significant shift in the nature and scale of work, as well as the risks associated with it. New technologies, such as steam engines, textile machines, railways, and factories, increased productivity and efficiency while also introducing new hazards, such as machinery accidents, fires, explosions, chemical exposures, and overcrowding.

The Industrial Revolution also saw the rise of new social classes, such as factory owners, managers, and workers, each with their own set of concerns and perspectives on workplace health and safety.

In the 19th century, Britain made the first systematic attempts to regulate workplace health and safety in the modern era. Among the landmark pieces of legislation are:

• The Factory Acts (1802-1878), a set of laws aimed at improving working conditions and the well-being of factory workers, particularly children and women. Working hour restrictions, minimum age requirements, education provisions, sanitary facilities, ventilation, lighting, and safety inspections were all mandated by the acts.
• The Mines Act of 1842 prohibited the employment of women and children under the age of ten in underground coal mines. The act also required government officials to inspect mines on a regular basis and to provide adequate ventilation.
• The Employers' Liability Act of 1880, which allowed employees to sue their employers for negligence if they were injured on the job due to defective machinery or equipment.

The twentieth century saw more advancements in workplace health and safety around the world. Among the notable events are:

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a United Nations specialized agency set up in 1919 that promotes social justice and human rights for workers. The ILO has adopted a number of conventions and recommendations on workplace health and safety issues, including occupational diseases, radiation protection, chemical safety, ergonomics, stress management, violence prevention, and HIV/AIDS.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 established the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in the United States. Employers are required to provide a safe and healthy work environment for their employees, and workers have the right to report hazards, request inspections, receive information and training, and refuse unsafe work.

The European Framework Directive on Safety and Health at Work (1989), a European Union directive that establishes general principles and minimum standards for workplace health and safety in all member countries. Risk assessment, prevention measures, consultation with workers' representatives, information and training, emergency plans, accident reporting, and enforcement are all covered in the directive.

For workplace health and safety, the twenty-first century has brought new challenges and opportunities. Among the emerging trends are:

• Remote work and flexible hours: More employees are working from home or adjusting their schedules to meet their needs. This can reduce stress, boost productivity, and reduce costs. It does, however, pose risks such as isolation, communication problems, and ergonomic hazards.

• Artificial intelligence and automation: As technology advances, it is transforming the way we work, introducing new tasks and roles. This has the potential to improve efficiency, quality, and innovation. It does, however, raise ethical, legal, and social concerns, such as how to safeguard workers' rights, privacy, and well-being.
• Diversity and inclusion: In terms of age, gender, ethnicity, culture, and ability, the workforce is becoming more diverse. This can promote innovation, collaboration, and customer satisfaction. To avoid discrimination, harassment, and conflict, however, respect, tolerance, and sensitivity are also required.

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