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Occupational Safety & Health Day – April 28, 2023

The World Day for Safety and Health at Work, also known as Occupational Health and Safety Day, is observed annually on April 28 to encourage the prevention of workplace accidents and diseases around the world. It is a public awareness campaign aimed at drawing international attention to the extent of work-related accidents and how encouraging and cultivating safety and health culture can help reduce the number of deaths and injuries at work.

History of Occupational Safety & Health Day

Regulation and research in occupational safety and health are relatively recent developments. In response to worker concerns, labor movements emerged in the years after the industrial revolution. The health dangers caused by chemicals, dust, metals, and other disease-causing variables that workers in more than 50 different vocations must contend with were discussed in “De Morbis Diatriba,” which was published in 1700. Early 19th-century concerns about the poor health of children working in cotton mills led to the enactment of the Factory Acts in the United Kingdom.

The Factory Inspectorate Act of 1833 established a dedicated professional factory inspection service. In 1844, a new act was passed in response to the factory inspectorate’s request, limiting the number of hours that women in the textile industry might work. Machine guarding was mandated by industry, but only in the textile sector and in areas where women or children might be present.

When a Royal Commission’s findings on the working conditions for miners were published in 1840, they made clear the dangerous working conditions and high accident rates. The 1842 Mines Act was enacted as a result of the public outcry the commission caused. The statute created a mining inspectorate, leading to prosecutions and increased security. By 1850, inspectors were free to enter and inspect locations as they pleased. Both the first worker’s compensation law and the first social insurance law in the Western world were signed by Otto von Bismarck in 1883 and 1884, respectively.

Occupational Safety & Health Day timeline

1970
The Occupational Safety and Health Act

The Occupational Safety and Health Act is passed in the United States.

1971
Worker Health and Safety Agency

The Occupational Safety and Health Agency (O.S.H.A.) is created as the government agency in charge of worker health and safety.

1972
The O.S.H.A. Training Institute

O.S.H.A. establishes its training Institute.

2003
Occupational Safety and Health Day

Occupational Safety and Health Day is established by the International Labor Organization.

Occupational Safety & Health Day FAQs

What are the causes of workplace accidents?

Lifting, fatigue, poor lighting, hazardous materials, and workplace violence are all factors to consider.

What are the five occupational safety procedures?

Maintain proper posture, take regular breaks, use proper equipment, and report any safety concerns.

What's the most common non-fatal workplace accident?

A slip, trip, or fall is the most prevalent type of non-fatal accident in the workplace.

How to Observe Occupational Safety & Health Day

  1. Participate in a workshop

    Organize a specialized workshop on various aspects of occupational health and safety, under the guidance of a qualified expert. If you can't get one, try looking for a workshop you can attend.

  2. Host a themed get-together

    Host a little get-together in honor of the day. Include activities that teach employees how to work in a productive but safe atmosphere.

  3. Make others aware of the situation

    Learn about workplace accident statistics and the importance of occupational health and safety. Use the hashtags #WorldDayForSafety, #WorkSafety, and #HealthAndSafety to share this information on social media and help raise awareness.

5 Interesting Facts About Workplace Safety

  1. Penalties of over $1,000

    Businesses in breach of O.S.H.A. laws face an average penalty of $1,028.

  2. Overexertion leads to injuries

    Overexertion is responsible for around a quarter of all workplace injuries.

  3. Get slinky for yourself

    Businesses lose $12.75 billion each year due to injuries caused by pushing, lifting, tugging, carrying, and/or holding.

  4. 10% of skin cancer cases

    Workplace exposure to hazardous materials is responsible for 10% of all skin cancer cases.

  5. 6,000 daily work-related injury death

    6,000 people die daily as a result of work-related injuries.

Why Occupational Safety & Health Day is Important

  1. It creates awareness

    Occupational Health and Safety Day is an international awareness-raising campaign that raises awareness of the seriousness of work-related injuries, diseases, and fatalities. It emphasizes the necessity of establishing and promoting good workplace safety and health culture.

  2. It prevents unnecessary accidents

    A report showed that 50% of work-related accidents and injuries can easily be avoided. With proper safety measures in place, a safe and healthy working environment would prevent unnecessary loss of lives.

  3. It increases productivity

    Employees who are in good health are more productive at work. When occupational health and safety are properly implemented, employees will feel safe and inspired to work since they will be safeguarded and their safety and health will not be jeopardized.

Occupational Safety & Health Day dates

YearDateDay
2023April 28Friday
2024April 28Sunday
2025April 28Monday
2026April 28Tuesday
2027April 28Wednesday

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