The XX World Congress on Safety and Health at Work 2014 which opens in Germany August 24th will showcase strategies that promote a workplace prevention culture.

In the context of a rapidly-changing economic environment, the working population continues to face a multitude of work-related health challenges, resulting in a significant burden on national economies.

A "vision zero" culture

The World Congress organizers say they’re pioneering a “vision zero” global prevention culture for workplace safety and health, in which strategies for occupational safety and health are not limited to the workplace, but also improve human well-being and benefit economies and societies.

The World Congress is the main international professional safety event, and will take place in Frankfurt from 24 to 27 August. The Congress will involve nearly 4,000 safety and health specialists, decision makers from the field of social security and the public sector as well as employers’ and workers’ representatives from around the world to exchange ideas, research and best practices on critical issues in the area of occupational safety and health.

A major program highlight will be the International Media Festival for Prevention, which will feature health and safety media productions from more than 30 countries.

Held every three years, the World Congress is jointly organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Social Security Association (ISSA), and is hosted this year by the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV).