The World Day for Safety and Health at Work takes place annually on the 28th of April to globally promote the prevention of accidents and diseases at work. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) began to observe this day in 2003 to promote a safe and healthy work environment as a fundamental principle and right at work through collaboration and encouraging open social dialogue.
We have learned from past and ongoing crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic that workplaces can be of vital importance in the prevention and control of outbreaks. During this unprecedented period, it was demonstrated that effective participation and communication between governments, employers, and workers had an essential role in transforming occupational health and safety systems; through implementing effective health and safety measures in the workplace to contain the spread of disease, systems were built that not only safeguarded the health and safety of workers but protected and upheld the health of society at large. In addition, these measures allowed important services to continue in confidence, with health and safety being at the forefront.
At the workplace level, a strong occupational health and safety culture that is valued by both management and workers must be built on the inclusion and collaboration of all parties in the ongoing improvement of health and safety at work. Building and promoting this type of culture is key in the development and revision of occupational health and safety policy, and regulatory frames to address persistent and new occupational health and safety challenges, in turn leading to more effective and rapid application and implementation of transformative measures that protect all. In addition, when this strong culture extends throughout the workplace, workers are more comfortable raising concerns or providing feedback about possible risks or hazards, paving the way further for management to be proactive in building trust and collaborating with workers to find appropriate, effective, and sustainable solutions.
It is in this spirit that Frontiers in Public Health is launching a new article collection to coincide with this day. The occasion offers the opportunity to focus international attention on the magnitude of the problem and promote and create a safe and healthy culture that can reduce the number of work-related diseases and accidents. As we continue to face global health crises and ongoing risks in the workplace, it is vital to continue to move toward building a strong occupational health culture at all levels and recognize that a safe and healthy working environment is a fundamental principle and right for all. Considering these points, submissions to this collection may include:
• New and emerging occupational risks (i.e., new technologies and production processes such as nanotechnology and biotechnology, new working conditions promoted by climate change and circular economy boost, different working hours, working from home…);
• Mental health in the workplace i.e., the effects of psychosocial factors on work-related stress;
• Investing in resilient occupational health and safety systems;
• Building a culture of prevention in companies;
• Raising the political profile of occupational health and safety i.e., tripartism – responsibility and commitment of all relevant parties in enforcing and upholding occupational health and safety;
• Promoting an open social dialogue in creating a positive safety and health culture in the workplace, particularly amongst young workers;
• Migration for specific activities: challenges and concerns.
Submissions of the following article types will be welcome into this collection: original research, reviews, and commentary.
The World Day for Safety and Health at Work takes place annually on the 28th of April to globally promote the prevention of accidents and diseases at work. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) began to observe this day in 2003 to promote a safe and healthy work environment as a fundamental principle and right at work through collaboration and encouraging open social dialogue.
We have learned from past and ongoing crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic that workplaces can be of vital importance in the prevention and control of outbreaks. During this unprecedented period, it was demonstrated that effective participation and communication between governments, employers, and workers had an essential role in transforming occupational health and safety systems; through implementing effective health and safety measures in the workplace to contain the spread of disease, systems were built that not only safeguarded the health and safety of workers but protected and upheld the health of society at large. In addition, these measures allowed important services to continue in confidence, with health and safety being at the forefront.
At the workplace level, a strong occupational health and safety culture that is valued by both management and workers must be built on the inclusion and collaboration of all parties in the ongoing improvement of health and safety at work. Building and promoting this type of culture is key in the development and revision of occupational health and safety policy, and regulatory frames to address persistent and new occupational health and safety challenges, in turn leading to more effective and rapid application and implementation of transformative measures that protect all. In addition, when this strong culture extends throughout the workplace, workers are more comfortable raising concerns or providing feedback about possible risks or hazards, paving the way further for management to be proactive in building trust and collaborating with workers to find appropriate, effective, and sustainable solutions.
It is in this spirit that Frontiers in Public Health is launching a new article collection to coincide with this day. The occasion offers the opportunity to focus international attention on the magnitude of the problem and promote and create a safe and healthy culture that can reduce the number of work-related diseases and accidents. As we continue to face global health crises and ongoing risks in the workplace, it is vital to continue to move toward building a strong occupational health culture at all levels and recognize that a safe and healthy working environment is a fundamental principle and right for all. Considering these points, submissions to this collection may include:
• New and emerging occupational risks (i.e., new technologies and production processes such as nanotechnology and biotechnology, new working conditions promoted by climate change and circular economy boost, different working hours, working from home…);
• Mental health in the workplace i.e., the effects of psychosocial factors on work-related stress;
• Investing in resilient occupational health and safety systems;
• Building a culture of prevention in companies;
• Raising the political profile of occupational health and safety i.e., tripartism – responsibility and commitment of all relevant parties in enforcing and upholding occupational health and safety;
• Promoting an open social dialogue in creating a positive safety and health culture in the workplace, particularly amongst young workers;
• Migration for specific activities: challenges and concerns.
Submissions of the following article types will be welcome into this collection: original research, reviews, and commentary.
