Publications & technical tools
2021
-
Publication
Prevention and mitigation of Covid-19 in the informal economy through safety and health: An action-oriented tool for supporting street and market vendors
14 October 2021
This tool is addressed to the public authorities, workers’ and employers’ organizations, informal economy organizations and other stakeholders, who are willing to help street and market vendors improve their safety and health conditions to prevent the risk of contagion and mitigate the impact of COVID-19 at work.
-
Publication
The GHS in the world of work: Mapping synergies between ILO Instruments and the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)
03 September 2021
This report explores critical synergies between the GHS and the ILO’s instruments on chemicals and occupational safety and health, with an aim to further promote GHS implementation and an even greater engagement of the world of work in global efforts toward the safer management of chemicals.
-
© ILO 2023
Briefing note
COVID-19 and the port sector
05 July 2021
Ports provide key infrastructure in support of international trade and the global economy. They vary in size from wharves handling at most a few hundred tonnes of cargo a year to large international ports or multi-modal hubs combining a broad range of logistical services, from warehousing to total supply chain management. During the COVID-19 pandemic, ports have had to adjust to the reality of lower volumes, worker shortages, the implementation of occupational health and safety measures for dockers and shore personnel, and the adoption of teleworking and remote operations for office workers. In some countries, calls by cruise ships have come to a halt. This policy brief summarizes the issues relating to COVID-19 and decent work challenges in the port sector.
-
Publication
Key principles underlying sanctioning procedures applicable to occupational safety and health violations
02 June 2021
This brief is aimed to equip policymakers and lawmakers with an overview of the main guiding principles that should underpin administrative and judicial sanctioning procedures applicable to OSH infractions to ensure that they are effective and fair.
-
Policy brief
Preventing and mitigating COVID-19 at work
19 May 2021
The ILO and WHO publish a brief providing a literature review on common features of workplaces most affected by the new corona virus and the most effective measures adopted by countries to prevent and mitigate COVID-19 at work. The brief gives practical guidance for national and local authorities as well as employers and workers’ representatives for the implementation of WHO and ILO recommendations to prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and manage COVID-19 outbreaks at work in non-healthcare settings.
-
Publication
Improving occupational safety and health in small and medium-sized enterprises – Training module
17 May 2021
-
Chemical safety
Exposure to hazardous chemicals at work and resulting health impacts: A global review
07 May 2021
This report provides the most recent evidence base for chemical exposures and resulting health impacts in the world of work, as well as insights into regional trends, gender considerations and priority action areas.
-
Publication
Protecting workers: occupational safety and health in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
17 April 2021
Rapid Needs Assessment & Response Plans: Preparation Guidelines for Country Level Interventions
-
© ILO 2023
Briefing note
Impact of COVID-19 in the meat processing sector
09 February 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to exert pressures on the agri-food industry both from the business and workers’ sides, with some sectors shouldering a particularly high burden. The meat processing sector is one of them. As the effects of the pandemic on our food systems continue to unfold, the learnings from the outbreaks in processing plants in several major meat-producing countries are catalysing reforms that should contribute to the sustainable development of the sector.
-
Publication
COVID-19: Occupational health and safety for health workers
05 February 2021
This WHO-ILO document provides guidance on occupational health and safety measures for health workers and occupational health services in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also outlines the rights and responsibilities for health and safety at work for health workers according to the standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO). The document is intended for employers and health-facility managers, health workers and their representatives, occupational health and safety experts, infection prevention and control experts in public and private health facilities and policy-makers at national and subnational levels.
-
© ILO 2023
Briefing note
Impact of COVID-19 on the construction sector
25 January 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the construction sector, which is sensitive to economic cycles. Yet, on the upside, construction holds much potential to stimulate recovery, thanks to its potential to create jobs; and in turn, recovery measures can support the sector’s transformation towards sustainability and digitalization. Tripartite cooperation and social dialogue, together with international labour standards, are key to promote a human-centred recovery of the construction sector from the crisis.
2020
-
Publication
Safety + Health for All - Key facts and figures (2016-2020)
15 December 2020
An ILO Flagship Programme
-
Publication
Promoting the health of Migrant Workers in the WHO European Region during COVID-19
06 November 2020
This interim guidance is intended to support WHO European Region Member States and partners in promoting the health of migrant workers in particular through effective approaches and best practices in enhancing preparedness, prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as considerations for mitigating the negative socioeconomic impact of the pandemic.
-
Publication
Quick guide on sources and uses of statistics on occupational safety and health
29 October 2020
-
© The National Guard 2023
Briefing note
COVID-19 and care workers providing home or institution-based care
16 October 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has drawn attention to the already overburdened and understaffed home and institution-based care sector in many countries. This brief highlights the challenges faced in the recruitment, deployment, retention and protection of sufficient numbers of well-trained and motivated care workers. Sustainable investment in health and social care systems, including in the workforce itself, and in decent working conditions are needed to ensure the preparedness and resilience of the sector in times of crisis and beyond. Ensuring that care workers, together with their employers and other relevant stakeholders have an opportunity to make their voices heard is critical if they are to play a full and active role in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
-
© Mwasalat 2023
Briefing note
COVID-19 and Urban Passenger Transport Services
05 October 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unparalleled consequences to urban passenger transport services. The impact on the different urban mobility modes is widespread but a common denominator has been the decline of ridership across all modes. Urban transport workers are serving those who serve: hospital, care and other critical service workers. Yet, they can find themselves at the forefront of service provision during the pandemic and may be at high risk of illness. This policy brief seeks to summarize the issues relating to COVID-19 and urban passenger transport workers. The brief discusses the mains impacts of the pandemic in the sector. It also includes information on the tripartite and sectoral measures that employers, workers and governments have taken to support the sector and its workers, and on the ILO’s principles and tools, including international labour standards.
-
© WaterAid 2023
Briefing note
Hand hygiene at the workplace: an essential occupational safety and health prevention and control measure against COVID-19
08 September 2020
-
Workplace violence and harassment
Safe and healthy working environments free from violence and harassment
24 July 2020
The ILO launches a new report “Safe and healthy working environments free from violence and harassment” which examines prevention through OSH frameworks.
-
Publication
Safety and health in micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises: A collection of five case studies
28 May 2020
The five case studies - conducted in Cameroon, Colombia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Tunisia – describe the occupational safety and health (OSH) situation in MSMEs and the initiatives adopted in this field.
-
Briefing note
A safe and healthy return to work during the COVID-19 pandemic
21 May 2020
This guidance note aims to assist governments and employers’ and workers’ organizations in developing national policy guidance for a phased and safe return to work, and provide guidelines for workplace-level risk assessments and implementation of preventive and protective measures according to a hierarchy of controls.