World Day for Safety and Health at Work

Why safety and health at work is essential for social justice

As climate change intensifies, workers around the globe find themselves at an increased risk of exposure to hazards such as excessive heat, ultraviolet radiation, extreme weather events, air pollution, vector-borne diseases and agrochemicals. The time to act is now!

24 April 2024

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Gilbert F. Houngbo's video message for World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2024

The climate emergency is affecting our planet, our ecosystems, and millions of workers worldwide.

Seventy percent of workers today are facing dangerous levels of heat. Workers also face chemical exposure, UV radiation, pollution, and vector-borne diseases.

And it is affecting their health and mental well-being. 

Illnesses like kidney and heart disease, and cancer are on the rise.

The danger is present and real, and the time to act is now.

On this World Day for Safety and Health at Work, I urge all nations to ensure that their safety and health policies adequately protect workers and livelihoods, and ensures overall productivity.

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