In addition to Workers Memorial Day in many countries and National Day of Mourning (for worker fatalities) in Canada, April 28^th has also been designated World Day for Safety and Health at Work. The focus this year is on the prevention of occupational diseases.

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO) more than 2 million deaths are caused by various types of work-related diseases. It corresponds to a daily average of more than 5,500 deaths. Worldwide, occupational diseases continue to be the leading cause of work-related deaths.

“The consequences of inadequate prevention of occupational diseases have profound negative effects not only on workers and their families but also on society, since they generate tremendous costs,” says the ILO.

Every year the ILO Programme on Safety and Health at Work and the Environment releases a report to serve as a background to the World Day for Safety and Health’s theme. This year’s paper focuses on the prevention of occupational diseases call to relevant parties (i.e. national policies and strategies) to prevent occupational and work-related diseases.

Material released in the run up to the World Day for Safety and Health (28 April) includes:

Report 2013 - The Prevention of Occupational Diseases;

Poster for the World Day for Safety and Health at Work - 28 April 2013;

Presentation for the World Day for Safety and Health at Work - 28 April 2013