SWA resources mark World Day for Safety and Health at Work

Wednesday, 28 April is World Day for Safety and Health at Work, as well as Workers’ Memorial Day. It is a day to reflect on how to prevent work-related occupational diseases, deaths, injuries and illnesses. It is also a day to remember those who have lost their lives due to a work-related injury or illness.

In 2021, the theme to mark World Day for Safety and Health at Work is ‘Anticipate, prepare and respond to crises and invest now in resilient OHS systems’. Set by the International Labour Organisation, the theme acknowledges the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the importance of building an effective, resilient and adaptable WHS framework.

While the number of work-related fatalities in Australia has declined over the last decade, any workplace death is tragic and unacceptable. Data from Safe Work Australia shows that in 2019, 183 workers were fatally injured at work.

By raising awareness of work health and safety (WHS) issues and taking action to eliminate or minimise health and safety risks at work, those observing World Day for Safety and Health at Work can help prevent further injuries and fatalities.

To mark the occasion, Safe Work Australia has developed a 2021 World Day for Safety and Health at Work webpage that provides resources including suggestions for how to get involved.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Karanov images