Countries need to put in place sound and resilient occupational safety and health (OSH) systems that would minimise the risks for everyone in the world of work in the event of future health emergencies, says the International Labour Organization (ILO) in a report released on 28 April, the World Day for Safety and Health at Work
This will require investment in OSH infrastructure and integrating it into overall national crisis emergency preparedness and response plans, so that workers’ safety and health is protected, and the business continuity of enterprises is supported.
The report, Anticipate, prepare and respond to crises. Invest now in resilient OSH systems, examines risk prevention and management relating to the pandemic, and analyses other health and safety risks associated with the changing work arrangements arising from virus control measures.
It outlines the critical roles played during the pandemic by occupational safety and health regulatory frameworks and institutions, compliance mechanisms, health and advisory services, data, research and training.
“There could be no clearer demonstration of the importance of a strong, resilient, occupational safety and health environment. Recovery and prevention will require better national policies, institutional and regulatory frameworks, properly integrated into crisis response frameworks,” said ILO director-general, Guy Ryder.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, workers in specific sectors, such as emergency, health and social care, have been particularly vulnerable to the risk of infection. According to data cited in the report, 7,000 health workers have died since the outbreak of the crisis, while 136 million health and social care workers are at risk of contracting COVID-19 through work.
The pressures and risks facing health workers during the pandemic have also taken a toll on their mental health: one in five healthcare workers globally have reported depression and anxiety symptoms.
As well as the health and care sectors, many other workplaces have been sources of COVID-19 outbreaks, when staff are in closed environments or spend time in close proximity with each other, including in shared accommodation or transport.
The report says small and micro-sized enterprises have often found it hard to meet official OSH requirements because many have lacked the resources to adapt to the threats posed by the pandemic.
In the informal economy, many of the 1.6 billion workers, especially in developing countries, have continued working despite lockdowns, restrictions on movement and social interaction, and other measures. This has put them at high risk of catching the virus, yet most do not have access to basic social protection, such as sick leave or sick pay.
International labour standards (ILS) offer specific guidance on how to respond to these challenges, thereby reducing the risk of virus transmission in the workplace, the report says. They provide tools to implement OSH measures and to ensure that workers, employers and governments can maintain decent work, while adjusting to the socio-economic consequences of the pandemic.
Jimmy Quinn, president of the UK's IOSH, said, "Even before the pandemic 2.78 million people were dying each year from work-related illness and injury. These deaths are even more tragic because they are preventable.
"These shocking facts remind us of the need to redouble our efforts with governments, business and labour to bring about radical change in how work is organised. Work should support life. It should not do the opposite - endanger life.
"IOSH has always advocated that the best approach is prevention first. Anticipating and preparing for risks requires investment in and good management of resilient occupational safety and health systems. It also requires a competent, trained and experienced occupational safety and health profession."
