Language
Country/Area
No result found
Incredible Numbers: How many people are injured in work environments every year around the world?
Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is a multidisciplinary field focusing on the safety, health and well-being of workplace personnel. According to official UN data, nearly 2 million people die each year due to exposure to occupational risk factors, which triggers deeper understanding and thinking about the work environment.
About 2.78 million people die from work-related accidents or diseases every year worldwide, which is equivalent to one person losing his life every fifteen seconds.
In addition to deaths, more than 374 million people suffer non-fatal work-related injuries each year. Behind these numbers are the spiritual and economic burdens that countless families bear due to the insecure working environment. Are these numbers enough to arouse our attention to work safety?
Definition and historical background of occupational health
According to the common definition of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), occupational health is intended to promote and maintain the physical, mental and social health of all occupational workers and prevent health problems caused by working conditions. Since the end of the 15th century, research on occupational diseases has begun, and early literature has begun to document the health problems caused by toxic smoke suffered by metal workers and gold and silver smiths.
With the rise of the Industrial Revolution, the health and safety of workers have gradually become important social issues. The Health and Apprenticeship Ethics Act, promulgated by the UK in 1802, was the first important legislation to regulate working conditions, which became a prelude to the later Factory Act and marked the beginning of the importance of the safety of the work environment.
The dangers of today's workplace
Modern workplaces face various dangers that can invisibly affect workers' health. Workplace hazards include chemicals, biological factors, physical factors and poor working environment. According to a study conducted by the WHO and ILO, long hours of work are the biggest occupational risk factor for death, especially in cases of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
More than 22 million workers are at risk of hearing loss at work, making hearing impairment one of the most common job-related injuries in the United States.
Unfortunately, many industries such as construction and agriculture still have extremely dangerous working environments. Construction workers face high mortality rates at work, one of the main reasons is fall accidents. It is shocking that in 2016, 745,000 people died worldwide due to working hours, which is an incredible number.
Risks for specific industries
The occupational safety and health risks faced by different industries vary. In the construction industry, workers are often at risk of falling; in the agricultural field, there are work injuries caused by improper use of agricultural machinery and chemicals. Especially when workers work for a long time and face mechanical and natural environment challenges, the risk of accidents has increased significantly.
In the agricultural industry, overturned tractors are the most common cause of fatal agricultural injuries in the United States, and the health risks caused by excessive work are even more urgently needed to be solved.
In addition, the risk level for the mining and petroleum and gas extraction industries is self-evident. Whether it is ground or underground operations, workers are exposed to various potential hazards, including geological instability, risk of explosions, and contact with industrial chemicals.
Global response measures
In terms of countermeasures, many countries have introduced laws and regulations that require companies to comply with occupational safety and health standards to reduce the incidence of accidents. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States is established to improve the safety of the work environment, thereby regulating and enforcing occupational safety regulations.
However, changing the safety culture of workers and improving the working environment still requires joint efforts from enterprises, governments and society. Improving awareness of occupational safety and understanding of relevant laws can help reduce accidents in the workplace and ensure the life safety and occupational health of every employee.
Behind the numbers, unfortunate events are not inevitable, and improving workplace safety is the responsibility of everyone and every company. This current situation should also make us think: What kind of contribution can each of us make to improve the working environment?
