Occupational Safety & Health Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about Workplace Safety

The globe Day for Safety and Health at Work, also known as Occupational Health and Safety Day, is observed annually on April 28 to promote the prevention of workplace injuries and illnesses throughout the globe. It is a public awareness campaign intended at attracting international attention to the extent of work-related accidents and how promoting and cultivating a safety and health culture can help reduce the number of workplace deaths and injuries.

The background of Occupational Safety & Health Day

Occupational safety and health regulation and research are relatively new developments. After the industrial revolution, labour movements emerged in response to worker concerns. In “De Morbis Diatriba,” which was published in 1700, the dangers to employees’ health posed by chemicals, dust, metals, and other disease-causing factors in over 50 different occupations were discussed. Concerns about the poor health of minors working in cotton mills prompted the United Kingdom to pass the Factory Acts in the early 19th century.

The Factory Inspectorate Act of 1833 established a professional inspection service for factories. In 1844, in response to the factory inspectorate’s request, a new law was enacted limiting the number of hours textile industry women could work. Machine guarding was mandated by industry, but only in the textile industry and areas where women and children could be present.

When the findings of a Royal Commission on the working conditions of miners were published in 1840, the dangerous working conditions and high accident rates were made apparent. The 1842 Mines Act was enacted as a consequence of the commission’s public outcry. The statute established a mining inspectorate, resulting in increased prosecutions and security. By 1850, inspectors were permitted to freely access and inspect locations. Otto von Bismarck signed the first worker’s compensation law and the first social insurance law in the Western world in 1883 and 1884, respectively.

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5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT WORKPLACE SAFETY

Businesses that violate OSHA regulations face an average fine of $1,028.

About a quarter of all occupational injuries are the result of overexertion.

Each year, businesses lose $12.75 billion due to injuries resulting from pressing, lifting, pulling, carrying, and/or holding.

10% of all cases of cutaneous cancer are attributable to workplace exposure to toxic substances.

Every day, 6,000 individuals die from work-related injuries.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH DAY DATES