NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS

INTERNATIONAL EVENTS TO MARK WORLD DAY FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK 28 APRIL 2005

(ILO news) – Workers, employers, government and non-governmental organizations in more than 100 countries will mark the World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28 April.

This year’s World Day will focus on two issues: the construction industry, where 17 percent of all fatal accidents occur, and the higher rate of industrial accidents among younger and older workers. Globally, the ILO estimates that accidents and illnesses cause some 2.2 million deaths per year and reduce the world’s gross domestic product by an estimated 4 percent.

According to the ILO, industrialized countries have seen a marked decrease in serious work-related injuries over the past century thanks to safer workplaces, due largely to long-term policies encouraging active involvement by governments, workers and employers, as well as effective health and safety legislation backed by strong labour inspection. The ILO says the developing world could also benefit from the experience of industrialized countries through raised awareness of health and safety issues at the workplace, as well as an emphasis on the importance of prevention.

With regard to this year’s areas of focus for World Day, the ILO noted that the construction industry is a major generator of employment in many parts of the world. However, it is also associated with proportionately much higher levels of work-related injury and disease than most other sectors. According to a report prepared by the ILO for the 2005 World Day, about 17 per cent of all fatal workplace accidents occur in the construction industry. This adds up to 60,000 deaths per year, or one death every 10 minutes. Construction workers also face serious health risks, such as those from exposure to asbestos, silica and hazardous chemicals. The report stresses the need for better planning and coordination in addressing safety and health issues on construction sites, as well as a stronger focus on prevention of work-related ill health and disease.

The same ILO report notes that two groups – younger workers aged 15-24 and older workers aged 55 and older – are statistically more likely to suffer certain types of work-related injuries than workers in other age groups. Younger workers are much more likely to suffer serious, non-fatal accidents, and their increased risk can be related to lack of experience and training as well as to physical and emotional immaturity. Worker education and training are key elements in prevention programmes for this group. Older workers are more likely than younger ones to suffer fatal injuries at work, and their vulnerability may be due to the diminishing physical capacity that comes with age. In order to retain the valuable knowledge, experience and skills of this group, it is important that employers recognize the needs of older workers and make accommodations where appropriate.

In Sri Lanka, 45 fatal accidents and 1760 nonfatal accidents have been reported for the year 2004. Since reporting of occupational accidents is low worldwide, these figures do not accurately reflect the true picture of the extent of occupational accidents in Sri Lanka. Therefore, this figure is likely to be the tip of the iceberg. The burden of occupational accidents cannot be quantified only in terms of financial lost. The psycho-social impact of such accidents extends far beyond the financial loss.

Occupational accidents are preventable! If all unsafe acts and unsafe conditions at work could be eliminated, no worker will get injured or killed at work.

The ILO has commemorated the World Day for Safety and Health at Work since 2001 as a means of bringing a global, tripartite focus to Workers’ Memorial Day, which has been observed by the worldwide trade union movement for nearly a decade.

Observance of the World Day highlights the importance of reducing occupational accidents and diseases worldwide through the promotion of a preventive safety and health culture and a strong focus on prevention.

Sri Lanka will be commemorating the World Day for Safety and Health at Work with the Opening of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health by the Honourable Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapakse on 28th April 2005 at 9.00 am at No. 97, Jawatte Road, Colombo 5.. Hon. Athauda Seneviratne, Minister of Labour Relations and Foreign Employment, Senior Officers of the Ministry and Department of Labour and representatives from Employer and Worker Organizations will be present at this event. The Director of the ILO, Ms. Claudia Coenjaerts will deliver her message on OSH Day.

The Employers Federation of Ceylon (EFC) has developed and translated into local languages a brochure titled "Psychosocial Hazards at Work" This brochure will be launched at the opening of the OSH Institute on the 28th. The ILO has sponsored a Programme conducted by Employers Federation of Ceylon for 50 participants nominated by employers in their membership on "Safety Culture" in Sinhala medium to mark OSH Day.