World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2023

Does your organisation believe that ‘a safe and healthy working environment is a fundamental principle and right at work’? 

It’s this year’s theme for World Day for Safety and Health at Work and Workers’ Memorial Day – a date Guardian Exercise Rehabilitation celebrates every year.

It’s important to remember that a safe and healthy working environment is not just a ‘nice-to-have’, but a fundamental principle and right at work. Every worker, regardless of industry or occupation, has the right to work in an environment that is free from harm and illness. As a service provider working predominantly in the compensable space, we stand by this on both sides of the coin: for our own team across the nation, and for the hundreds of people that we help return to work every year.

Unfortunately, many workers around the world are exposed to hazardous conditions and unsafe practices in their workplaces. From construction sites to factories, and from offices to gyms and clinics, there are many potential dangers that can cause harm to employees. These can include hazards from the workspace itself, to the systems and processes inside organisations.

The good news is that there are ways to prevent these hazards and ensure that workers are protected. Employers and managers have a responsibility to provide a safe and healthy working environment for their employees, and workers have the right to speak up if they feel their safety is at risk.

A safe and healthy working environment

To create a safe and healthy working environment, we can take a number of steps. This includes good work design on four levels (Safe Work Australia):

                1. The work – including how work is preformed, the task duration, frequency and complexity;

                2. Your workers’ needs, preferences and capacities;

                3. The physical environment – including the workplace itself, plant, equipment, materials and substances;

                4.  The systems and processes involved in the work.

Workers can also do their part by following safety protocols and reporting any hazards or concerns to their supervisors. It’s important to remember that safety is everyone’s responsibility, and by working together, we can create a culture of safety in the workplace.

In addition to preventing accidents and injuries, a safe and healthy working environment can also have positive impacts on productivity and employee morale. When workers feel safe and valued, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated in their work. At Guardian Exercise Rehabilitation, we have just completed our own risk assessment profile of the organisation and will continue to ensure preventable hazards are prevented wherever possible.

As we also honour Workers’ Memorial Day and remember those who have been injured or lost their lives on the job, let us also commit to creating a safer and healthier work environment for all workers. By doing so, we can ensure that every worker can go home at the end of the day, safe and sound.

What can you do to show that your organisation believes ‘a safe and healthy working environment is a fundamental principle and right at work’?