World Day for Safety and Health at Work

Social dialogue for a positive safety and health culture

In a message to mark World Day for Safety and Health at Work, Guy Ryder, Director-General of the International Labour Organization, outlines the importance of workers, employers and governments working together to reduce deaths and injuries in the workplace.

Statement | 28 April 2022
Each year, nearly 3 million workers die due to occupational accidents and diseases. Hundreds of millions more suffer non-fatal injuries at work.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the importance of occupational safety and health and how collaboration and social dialogue between workers, employers and governments can reduce risks and improve safety and health in the world of work.

Social dialogue improves the quality of policies because employers and workers have in-depth knowledge of the needs and realities of companies and workforces – all the more necessary in times of crisis when quick responses are needed.

That’s why this year’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work highlights the importance of social dialogue in promoting a positive safety and health culture.

We need consistent action at all levels if we want to create safe and healthy workplaces.

That means governments prioritizing workers’ health and safety in national agendas and allocating enough resources to increase awareness and to implement policies.

It means workplaces complying with safety and health regulations, introducing OSH management systems and promoting a positive OSH culture.

It means workers participating in the development of OSH policies – which, all the evidence shows, reduces accident and injury rates.

Everyone wins when OSH is made a priority,

When there is adequate investment,

When there is effective collaboration.

Not only do these measures contribute to healthy workforces, they also lead to productive enterprises and sustainable economies.

By acting together, we will be better equipped to face future crises and the many changes ahead in the future of work.