World Health and Safety Day

28 Apr 2021 - Blog | International Days | The Union

28th April is the World Day for Safety and Health at Work. This day has been recognized by the International Labor Organization (ILO) since 2003. It is an international day that promotes health, safety and decent work.

On 25th September 2015, the United Nations included in the 2030 Agenda a global action plan with concrete targets to;

• End poverty
• Protect the world
• Ensure prosperity for all

The GWU works tirelessly to ensure that its working members have a safe working environment. The GWU does this by ensuring that everyone is actively involved in preventing accidents:

• Creating a system of rights
• Defined responsibilities and duties
• Giving priority to the principle of prevention

It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure health and safety in the workplace:

• Regularly inspect working conditions
• Ensure that all workers have safe tools and equipment
• Workers should have access to records of injuries in their workplace
• Procedures are clearly updated and communicated to all employees
• Workers should be trained on health and safety in the workplace
• Employers should be aware of all hazards that workers may encounter
• Workers should have regular cheque-ups related to their work

Workers also have their responsibilities when it comes to health and safety in the workplace to avoid accidents

• When working near machinery, avoid wearing jewellery and loose clothing
• Long hair can easily get caught in the machines, so it is best to wear it up
• Be mindful of what you do while working to avoid endangering yourself and those around you.
• Make sure you have had a full induction into your work and that you have a good understanding of work-related health and safety procedures.
• If your work requires the use of tools and equipment, make sure they work properly and that you know how to use them correctly
• Make sure you wear protective clothing correctly

Victor Carachi the president of the GWU is part of the board of Occupational Health & Safety Authority (OHSA) and emphasizes that there are obligations for employers to properly protect employees in terms of health and safety, but employees have their obligations as well. Health and safety is a very important part of any collective agreement that the union signs in any organisation. Every organisation should have a health and safety committee and a safety officer to make every employee feel safe at the workplace.

If you are having difficulties with health and safety at work, become a member and talk to us so we can help you with any situation.