The history of April 28
THE INTERNATIONAL Labour Organisation (ILO) celebrates the annual World Day for Safety and Health at Work on the 28th of April to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally. It is an awarenessraising campaign intended to focus international attention on emerging trends in the field of occupational safety and health and on the magnitude of work-related injuries, diseases and fatalities worldwide.
With the celebration of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the ILO promotes the creation of a global culture of preventative safety and health involving ILO constituents and all key stakeholders in this field. In many parts of the world, national authorities, trade unions, employers’ organisations and safety and health practitioners organise activities to celebrate this date. We invite you to join us in celebrating this significant day and share with us the activities you organise.
April 28 is also the International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers, organised worldwide by the trade union movement since 1996. Its purpose is to honour the memory of victims of occupational accidents and diseases by organising worldwide mobilisations and awareness campaigns on this date.
SHARED RESPONSIBILITY
In 2003, the ILO became involved in the April 28 campaign upon request from the trade union movement. While we honour injured and fallen workers, we appreciate and celebrate that these injuries and fatalities can be prevented and reduced, recognising it as both a day for commemoration and celebration.
April 28 is seen as a day to raise international awareness on occupational safety and health among trade unions, employers’ organisations and government representatives alike. The ILO acknowledges the shared responsibility of key stakeholders and encourages them to promote a culture of preventive safety and health to fulfill their obligations and responsibilities for preventing deaths, injuries and diseases in the workplace, allowing workers to return safely to their homes at the end of the working day.