The Annual World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28 April promotes the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally.
Emerging risks at work
New and emerging occupational risks may be caused by technical innovation or by social or organizational change, such as:
- New technologies and production processes, e.g. nanotechnology, biotechnology
- New working conditions, e.g. higher workloads, work intensification from downsizing, poor conditions associated with migration for work, jobs in the informal economy
- Emerging forms of employment, e.g. self-employment, outsourcing, temporary contracts
- They may be more widely recognized through better scientific understanding, e.g. the effects of ergonomic risks on musculoskeletal disorders.
Measures to Eliminate Risks:
- Identify and control hazards, look for trends or common factors in kinds of injuries or illnesses, parts of body,
time of day/shift, location, equipment, protective equipment, department etc. After identifying the hazards the organization can decide how to control them. - General safety orientation for new employees and employees starting new jobs, including company safety regulations and emergency procedures. Specific training on the hazards of their jobs and how to do their jobs safely.