HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK

The OIT Constitution establishes the principle of protection of workers for diseases and accidents. However, for millions of workers that is situated far from reality. Every year about two million people die from diseases and accidents. An estimated 160 million people suffer from work-related diseases each year and about 270 million for fatal accidents and non-fatal work-related occur. The suffering caused both workers and their families, these accidents and diseases, is incalculable. As a result of occupational accidents and diseases, employers have to deal with costly early retirement, a loss of qualified personnel, absenteeism, and high insurance premiums due to diseases and work-related accidents. However, many of these tragedies can be prevented through the implementation of sound prevention of the use of information and inspection practices. The OIT standards on safety and health at work provide essential tools for governments, employers and workers to establish such practices and to provide maximum safety at work.