Manchester, England – Sunday 28 April marks Workers Memorial Day, when we commemorate all those who have been killed at work. It’s also a day that provides an opportunity to highlight the need for stricter safety measures to ensure all workers are protected.
The theme for International Workers Memorial Day 2024 is the climate risks workers face, focusing on the escalating dangers that the climate crisis poses to workers worldwide, which is an increasing concern.
Gavin Scarr-Hall, Director of Health & Safety at Peninsula says, “This year we celebrated 50 years since the Health and Safety at Work Act came into force in the UK.
“Whilst it and similar legislation in other countries have had significant impact, the number of casualties in the workplace still remains too high across the globe. We may think of modern workplaces as safer and less tolerant of risk, but the reality is shocking.
“Figures gathered by the International Labour Organisation, have shown that there are 2.2 million work-related deaths every year. This equates to roughly six thousand deaths a day, or one every fifteen seconds.
“Without competent management, employees can fall victim to injury, sickness, mutilations, and even death. It isn’t an easy subject to talk about, which is why many prefer to ignore the facts and avoid talking about the problems that people face at work every day.
“Climate change has been high on the news agenda with the G7 stating we are at a turning point that we may not return from if we do not lessen our carbon emission quickly, with global temperatures continuing to rise.
“Changing weather patterns present serious occupational risks such as heat stress, UV radiation, air pollution, and heightened exposure to harmful chemicals.
“Strong evidence links climate change to devastating health conditions like cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, kidney dysfunction and mental health conditions.
“Workers continue to bear the brunt of these risks and have campaigned on the urgent need to integrate emergency preparedness into safety policies. This calls for new protections highlighting the need to recognise a safe working environment as a right, not simply a privilege.
“In Spain, firefighters have pointed to carcinogenic smoke from wildfires as an occupational health risk; now they have the right to protection from it. As do Australian and American workers exposed to heat stress, Brazilian workers affected by environmental disasters, and mining industry workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo who struggle with dangerous working conditions.
“As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, workers will only become more exposed.
“This is especially true of sectors that rely on a healthy environment, like farming, fishing, and forestry, representing roughly 1.2 billion jobs globally. Disrupted ecosystems and depleted resources put the very existence of such work in jeopardy.
“So, what can employers do to make a difference? The fundamental principles are set out in health and safety legislation already: consult with workers and unions about real working conditions on site and with their advice implement comprehensive safety training, and once workers know the rules, enforce them.
“Consultation is at the heart of any successful strategy to tackle climate risks in your workplace.
“Remember, most work-related deaths aren’t caused by a lack of standards, but by employers who violate those standards. Listening to workers and acting on their concerns isn’t a one-off exercise, but an ongoing way of working.”
