World Day for Safety and Health at Work

April 28, 2014 - ‎ “Safety and health in the use of chemicals at work“ was the theme for the 2014 World Day for Safety and Health at Work observed on April 28, Monday. Observed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 2003, the annual celebration aims to promote safe, healthy and decent work. It has for long been associated with the world's trade union movement's commemoration of the victims of occupational accidents and diseases. Marking the day this year, an ILO report showed that while chemicals can be useful, necessary steps should be taken to prevent and control potential risks for workers, workplaces, communities and the environment. Chemicals are key to healthy living and modern convenience. They range from pesticides that improve the extent and quality of food production, to pharmaceuticals that cure illnesses, and cleaning products. However, chemicals also pose a broad range of potential adverse effects, from health hazards such as cancers and physical hazards like flammability, to environmental hazards such as widespread contamination and toxicity to aquatic life. Many fires, explosions, and other disasters result from inadequate control of chemicals’ physical hazards. Governments, employers and workers continue to struggle to address controlling exposure to these chemicals in the workplace, as well as limiting emissions to the environment.