World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2023: A Milestone for Workers' Rights, Occupational Safety and Health

World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2023 is a global event that aims to raise awareness and promote best practices for preventing occupational safety and health issues. It is celebrated to encourage employers and workers to collaborate on creating safe and healthy workplaces for everyone. The event is organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO), a specialized agency of the United Nations that sets international standards and provides guidance on labour issues.

In the health sector, consider clinical trials, which are essential for the development of new medicines and treatments, but also involve exposing human subjects to potential harm or adverse effects. It is crucial that clinical trials are conducted in a way that respects the dignity, rights, and well-being of the participants, as well as the safety and health of the researchers and staff involved. Pharmacovigilance helps with this, and it is essential for ensuring the quality, efficacy and safety of medicines and medical devices. Depending on the industry and the role individuals play, Pharmacovigilance itself may also involve various hazards and risks for the health workers themselves which may include exposure to harmful substances, biological agents, radiation, ergonomic stress, psychosocial stress, and harassment. Some workers may face ethical dilemmas, legal liabilities, or professional isolation. This shows risks exist in every sector and Occupational Safety and Health issues affect every field, and everyone.

The theme for this year is 'A safe and healthy working environment is a fundamental principle and right at work'. This means that every worker, regardless of occupation, sector, or location, should have access to a workplace that protects their physical and mental well-being, respects their dignity, and enables them to perform their tasks effectively.

This right was officially recognized by the International Labour Conference (ILC) in June 2022, when it decided to include "a safe and healthy working environment" in the ILO's framework of fundamental principles and rights at work. This was a historic decision that reaffirmed the importance of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) as a core element of social justice and decent work. This decision recognizes that a safe and healthy working environment is not only a matter of good practice but also a human right that every worker deserves. Today is an opportunity to reflect on the progress made so far and the challenges ahead in implementing this right in practice.

This is such a big deal because according to the International Labour Organization, work-related accidents and diseases cause about 2.78 million deaths and 374 million non-fatal injuries every year, which is a huge human and economic cost that can be prevented if we all work together to ensure decent working conditions for everyone. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed and exacerbated the vulnerabilities and inequalities faced by many workers, especially those in informal, precarious, or hazardous sectors.

To make this a reality, the International Labour Organization has developed two fundamental conventions that provide guidance and standards for Occupational Safety and Health: Convention No. 155 on Occupational Safety and Health (1981) and Convention No. 187 on the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health (2006). These conventions cover various aspects of Occupational Safety and Health, such as policy, legislation, prevention, inspection, information, training, consultation, and cooperation, but these conventions are not enough by themselves. They need to be ratified and implemented by governments, employers, and workers in a tripartite manner. They also need to be adapted to the changing realities of the world of work, such as new technologies, emerging risks, demographic shifts, and environmental challenges.

That's why I am excited that the International Labour Organization has organized a global dialogue on how to implement a safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental principle and right at work today, 28 April 2023. It is an opportunity for experts and constituents to share their experiences on Occupational Safety and Health, with regard to best practices, challenges, and solutions, as well as a chance to present the findings of research on the implementation status of various provisions of the fundamental conventions No. 155 and No. 187. They will discuss how to promote and realize a safe and healthy work environment as a fundamental principle and right at work and address topics such as the role of social dialogue, the impact of COVID-19, the implications of new technologies, and the need for a human-centred approach to occupational safety and health.

I think this is a very exciting and important event that we should all follow and participate in as Occupational Safety and Health is not only a matter of law or policy; it's also a matter of culture and values. We need to create a culture of prevention and care that respects the dignity and well-being of every worker. We need to value Occupational Safety and Health as a human right that benefits everyone: workers, employers, and society at large.

So, let's join the ILO in celebrating World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2023 by celebrating the achievements and best practices of occupational safety and health around the world, and making Occupational Safety and Health a priority for all while remembering that much remains to be done to ensure that every worker can enjoy this right. Let us also pledge to support this sector by raising awareness, sharing best practices and advocating for better policies on safety and health at work in clinical trials.?

Together we can make a difference, so I invite you to share your ideas and experiences on how to improve working conditions and quality of life in the comments, as I look forward to reading them!?