Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen that having a strong OSH (Occupational Safety and Health) system, which includes meaningful participation of governments, employers, workers, public health workers and all relevant parties at the national and enterprise level, has been crucial in protecting working environments and safeguarding the safety and health of workers. Needless to say, OSH is a discipline involving many key stakeholders.
Effective social dialogue enables governments and social partners to actively engage in all phases of OSH decision-making processes. This involvement is crucial, from the development and revision of OSH policy and regulatory frameworks addressing persistent and new OSH challenges, to the practical implementation at the workplace level.
At the workplace level, a strong OSH culture is one in which the right to a safe and healthy working environment is valued and appreciated by all employees. A positive OSH culture is built on inclusion, through the meaningful involvement of all stakeholders in the continuous improvement of safety and health at work. In a workplace with a strong OSH culture, employees feel comfortable raising concerns about possible OSH risks or hazards in the workplace and management is proactive in collaborating with employees to find appropriate, effective and sustainable solutions. This requires open communication and dialogue built on trust and mutual respect. As we continue to live through a global health crisis and face ongoing OSH risks in the world of work, we must continue to move toward building a strong safety and health culture at all levels.
The annual World Day for Safety and Health at Work (WDSHW) on April 28th promotes the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally. This year, the event will explore the topic of a safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental principle and right at work. WDSHW is an awareness-raising campaign that highlights the magnitude of work-related accidents and diseases and emphasizes the importance of fostering a safety and health culture to reduce their occurrence.
Given the significant amount of time people spend at work, maintaining healthy standards in the workplace is essential to prevent accidents and injuries. In recognition of this, World Day for Safety and Health at Work is observed to create awareness and emphasize that each of us is responsible for preventing work-related deaths and injuries.
Both organizations and employees share the responsibility for creating a safe and healthy working environment. Organizations must provide the necessary infrastructure to ensure employee well-being, while employees must work safely, protect themselves, and avoid endangering others.
At Diversey, we prioritize the safety of our employees, customers, and business partners. As we continually strive to raise our safety standards, we also enthusiastically celebrate WDSHW in various parts of the world. A good example of this is our production team in India, which is involved in various activities, including:
A positive OSH culture requires the concerted effort of all stakeholders. By fostering open communication, trust, and mutual respect, employees can confidently raise concerns, and management can collaborate effectively to find solutions.
Let's come together to celebrate World Day for Safety and Health at Work and pledge to continuously improve safety and health in our organization!
