28th April is World Day for Safety and Health at Work. This day is observed to stress the importance of the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases.
Latest data by Safe Work Australia shows that in 2024, 200 workers were fatally injured at work in Australia. This World Day is a timely opportunity to look back and review the importance of safety and health at work.
Background
In 2003, the International Labour Organization (ILO) started to observe World Day for Safety and Health at Work to emphasize the prevention of accidents and diseases at work and encourage advocacy for a healthy working environment. It is a significant tool to raise awareness on how promoting a safe and healthy culture can support reducing a number of work related deaths and accidents.
In June 2022, the ILO decided to include a safe and healthy working environment in the ILO’s framework of fundamental principles and rights at work.
Theme for World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2025
The theme for World Day is Revolutionizing Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalization at Work. Digitalization and automation is changing the way we live and work. There are powerful opportunities for automation and smart monitoring systems to reduce hazardous exposures, prevent injuries and improve overall working conditions. At the workplace level, it will be imperative for businesses to implement preventive measures, assess risks associated with new technogies, and continuously adapt health and safety practices to remain efficient.
As employers, we are responsible for ensuring the working environment is safe and healthy.
As employees, we are responsible for working safely, protecting ourselves, and not endangering others. We should also know our rights and participate in implementing preventive measures.
Emerging Definitions of Safety and Health at Work
Safety at work is no longer restricted to the confines of occupational health. Mental health and psychosocial factors are slowly being recognised as true threats to businesses and employees. According to Safe Work Australia, mental health conditions accounted for 10.5% serious claims in 2022-2023, an astounding 97.3% increase compared with 10 years ago. Mental health conditions in Australia are now one of the costliest forms of workplace injury. They lead to more time off work and higher compensation paid when compared to physical injuries and diseases.
Most jobs involve some psychosocial hazards. These hazards can harm your employees’ mental health. They can also cause physical harm.
Psychosocial hazards include:
- job demands
- low job control
- poor support
- lack of role clarity
- poor organisational change management
- inadequate reward and recognition
- poor organisational justice
- traumatic events or material
- remote or isolated work
- poor physical environment
- violence and aggression
- bullying
- harassment, including sexual harassment, and
- conflict or poor workplace relationships and interactions
Where do psychosocial hazards come from?
Psychosocial hazards can come from:
- the design or management of work
- a work environment
- plant (e.g. equipment) at a workplace, or
- workplace interactions or behaviours
How do they endanger employee safety?
Psychosocial hazards can create stress. This can cause psychological or physical harm. Stress itself is not an injury but if workers get stressed often or regularly, over a long time, high levels of stress can cause harm.
Psychological harm may include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and sleep disorders.
Physical harm may include musculoskeletal injuries, chronic disease or fatigue-related injuries.
A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must eliminate psychosocial risks, or if that is not reasonably practicable, minimise them so far as is reasonably practicable.
How can employers ensure workplace health and safety?
Safe and good work design is one of the best ways to practically implement sustainable solutions for health and safety. PCBUs have a duty to consider good work design, which consists of the following:
- The work- How is the work performed? What is the task duration? What is the frequency of the tasks? How complex are the tasks?
- Workers’ needs and preferences- What do your workers need? What are their capacities? Do they have particular preferences for their well being?
- The physical environment- Work-related accidents happen because of poorly designed physical environments. The physical environment includes the work itself, plant, equipment, materials, and substances.
- Systems and processes- The systems and processes involved in the work can considerably impact health and safety. These include production processes, safety measures, business management, and human interaction.
Good work design
Good work design can be of vital importance in transforming your workplace. It can deal with emerging occupational risks, reduce potential accidents, and build a healthy work environment.
It should also:
- protect workers from harm to their health and safety
- improve worker health and wellbeing
- improve job satisfaction and performance
- improve business success through higher worker productivity and innovation
Good work design can help you meet your WHS duties.
- Everyone has WHS duties under the model WHS Act. You have specific duties if you are:
- a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU)
- a designer, manufacturer, importer, supplier and installer of plant, substances or structures
- an officer
As a PCBU, you must, so far as is reasonably practicable :
- ensure the health and safety of workers and others at your workplace
- consult with workers who carry out work for the business or undertaking and who are (or are likely to be) directly affected by a health and safety matter, and
- consult, cooperate and coordinate activities with all other relevant duty holders
Building better businesses
Adequate safety and health measures at work play a crucial role in containing disease, protecting workers including young workers, and supporting society. As a business owner, you have a responsibility towards safety and health at work. With constantly changing legislations and regulations, it can be tricky for you to keep up with your duties. Thousands of businesses across Australia and New Zealand have trusted us to support them. Call us on 1300941893 today to get all your questions answered.