Emerging risks and new forms of prevention in a changing world of work

The annual World Day for Safety and Health at Work, on 28 April 2010, is part of an international campaign to promote safe, healthy and decent work. This year, its focus was on emerging risks at the workplace and new forms of prevention in a changing world of work.

The study of new and emerging risks in the world of work has been the focus of much attention in recent years. For example, modern manufacturing processes using nanotechnology and biotechnology are found increasingly all over the world. It is expected that by 2020, approximately 20% of all goods will be partly based on the use of nanotechnology. Unfortunately, the long-term impact of these new materials on human health and the environment remains largely unknown. In biotechnology, those engaged in the development of new products and genetically modified organisms can be at particular risk. What’s more, there has been an enormous growth in the number of chemicals being used in the industrial environment over the last 20 years, many of which have not been adequately tested. In addition, there is an increased awareness of the occupational safety and health (OSH) impact of new working conditions and emerging forms of employment.

As workplace conditions are changing constantly, work safety and health measures need to be adapted at the same time. An International Labour Organisation (ILO) survey undertaken in 2009 on the implementation of three key ILO instruments on OSH revealed that considerable progress has been made and a large number of countries are in the process of formulating OSH policies. Some countries are already updating their strategies focusing on new risks such as stress-related or musculoskeletal disorders and the promotion of best practices.

But the survey, based on contributions from over 120 countries, also showed that a number of new aspects, including emerging risks, should be taken into account for future action in this field. There is an urgent need to reinforce national OSH systems and programs reflecting the principles laid down in relevant International Labour Standards. This is why the Governing Body of the ILO adopted a plan of action aimed at achieving widespread ratification and effective implementation of the ILO’s key OSH instruments.

One important task is the aim to create a preventative health and safety culture. We want this task to be high on national agendas and to increase awareness and understanding of the purpose and usefulness of a systematic approach on OSH. Secondly, the action plan aims at improving the situation at the workplace level. Special attention should be given to hazardous sectors such as construction, mining and agriculture, the informal economy and the needs of SMEs. Thirdly, we’ll continue the process of capacity building, enabling national authorities to develop or further improve their national preventive systems.

The ILO report ‘Global Employment Trends’ indicated that the number of workers in vulnerable employment has increased significantly over the past years. Migrants, contract workers and other vulnerable groups are likely to suffer from unsafe and unhealthy working conditions. They have little or no access to preventative measures, training or health care. Implementing and maintaining better standards for these groups is a key challenge for the future. Regarding the impact on women, general approaches often don’t cover the specific needs of female workers. Therefore, the gender dimension in this field needs to be analysed and considered in policy making and workplace action. Similar approaches are commended for other groups such as migrants, and older and younger workers.

The ILO recently published a new list of occupational diseases. This list, along with the existing ILO labour standards on OSH, provides a common framework for ILO member states. The list reflects state-of-the-art development in identification, recognition and compensation of work-related diseases. The revised list for the first time includes mental and behavioural and post-traumatic stress disorders - given that a direct link is established scientifically between the exposure to risk factors at the workplace and mental disorders.

A large proportion of workers have difficulties coping with the conditions of modern working life. Studies show that stress is the second most frequently recorded cause of work-related health disorders affecting 22% of workers in Europe in 2005. Reasons for that are increasing pressure, heavier workloads and higher demands on mobility and flexibility. The duty to be always ‘on call’ makes it hard to achieve a healthy work-life balance.

These conditions are affected by the economic crisis. Insecure forms of employment like self-employment and temporary contracts are on the rise. Many workers fear losing their jobs. The international acknowledgment of stress as a reason for work-related diseases shows that there is a change in perception of these risk factors. In the long run, mental stress could cause other forms of health impacts such as hypertension and musculoskeletal disorders. It can also be a major contribution to depression and even suicide.

If companies cut back on OSH expenses in times of crisis, they will pay the price in the near future. Everyone has the right to a safe and healthy working environment - especially in times of crisis. The current situation should not be an excuse to reduce activities in this field. Prevention is good for business. In the long run, investment in physical and mental health always pays off.

We will have to work later into our lives and we have to make sure that our wellbeing will permit us to do so. If we fail to invest in a healthy workforce now, we will lack healthy staff in the future. Saving money in the wrong place will also cause an additional financial burden for national social security systems.

Through its technical cooperation activities, ILO provides training in reinforcement of OSH systems, including the recording and notification of occupational accidents and diseases. Our objective is to compile existing global data and make it usable inter alia for measuring progress in this area.

Our awareness-raising activities will include the preparation of information materials in different languages, the annual ‘World Day on Safety and Health at Work’ and participation in international events to increase visibility for the ILO’s key labour standards on occupational safety and health.

*Seiji Machida, Director of SafeWork Program, International Labour Organisation