As the lives of those killed at work are mourned on Workers’ Memorial Day today (28th April), Russell Worth says this is a time to remember those who have lost their lives and a time to act to stop others from being harmed at work in the future.
The annual event, now in its 23rd year, serves as a reminder to workers around the world of the dangers they face every day at work, with the theme of this year’s event focusing specifically on ways to remove exposure to hazardous substances.
A survey commissioned by the TUC to mark the event has found that 71 per cent of people have been, or are currently at risk of being exposed to substances which could harm their health.
The survey, filled in by 500 people, found that 49 per cent of respondents were at risk of asbestos exposure, hazardous chemicals and gases, with 39 per cent at risk of being exposed to radiation sources and 27 per cent at risk from biological agents including viruses, bacteria, fungi and other pathogens.
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “The people who completed our questionnaire are a reminder that many workers in the UK are exposed to a range of hazardous substances. For some it is on a daily basis, and the result has been thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of people suffering ill-health.
“Yet every single one of these cases could be prevented. Many of these substances could be removed from the workplace or their use reduced – but where this is not possible, workers need much better protection. That means stronger regulation, and, more importantly, proper enforcement.
“On International Workers’ Memorial Day in workplaces across the world and in the UK, trade union health and safety representatives will consider what can be done to stop unnecessary deaths, injuries and illness. We need employers and governments to do more too.”
Find out more about the event here.