Background

The observance of International Day for Safety and Health at Work began in 2003 by the International Labour Organization (ILO). Its main objective was to stress the prevention of occupational accidents and disease risk at work. The Global Strategy on Occupational Safety and Health of the International Labour Organization makes its celebration mandatory as stated in the ILO conference held in June 2003. The trade union movement commemorates the 28 April as a day for dead and injured workers.

World day for safety and health at work 2024

Every year in the world, 28 April is celebrated as World Day for Safety and Health at Work with a specific theme. In 2024, the theme of World Day for Safety and Health at Work is "To focus on ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate". As we are all aware climate change may increase the risk to workers' health because climate change causes excessive heat, extreme weather events, floods, vector-borne diseases, UV radiation heat waves, etc. Climate change may cause several health impacts, like respiratory disease, skin disease, cancer, mental disorders, and cardiovascular diseases.

In the celebration of World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2024, the ILO published a report titled "Ensuring Safety and Health at Work in a Changing Climate,". In the report, detailed information is given about the alarming impact of climate change on workers' health and safety.