RoSPA Press Office : Press Release

April 26 , 2006
RoSPA BACKS PLEA FOR SAFER WORLD OF WORK

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is calling on employers to give their full support to Friday’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work.

Organised by the International Labour Organisation, the day will focus attention on promoting and creating decent, safe work.

Roger Bibbings, RoSPA Occupational Safety Adviser, said: “Every year since 1945 more people have died around the world from work-related accidents and diseases than have been killed in wars.

“Efforts to raise health and safety at work standards throughout the world must be seen as a key dimension of sustainable development. The right to a safe and healthy workplace is also a basic human right.

“RoSPA supports the Health and Safety Commission’s vision of health and safety as a ‘cornerstone of a civilised society’ and for Britain to achieve a record that leads the world. Our expertise in health and safety is something that we can be extremely proud of and which we must share with the world.

“RoSPA believes that there is much more that leading players in the UK health and safety system can do to spread good health and safety practice around the globe.

“Every organisation committed to higher standards of health and safety should be reviewing what more it can do to extend its influence internationally.

“Global organisations and higher performers can do much to promote better standards through international supply chains. They can lobby and partner with government and non-government organisations to integrate health and safety risk management into their various aid and development programmes.

“Trade associations can press for a sharper focus on health and safety standards in international trade negotiations. Professional organisations can extend their information services and training to key professionals in developing countries.

“RoSPA is continuing to make the promotion of health and safety internationally one of the criteria in selecting winners in its prestigious awards programme currently in its 50th year. It is anxious to link up wherever possible with other organisations that can help to promote the global health and safety at work message.”

For information on World Day for Safety and Health at Work (Friday, April 28) see: www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/worldday/index.htm .