World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2021
Starting in 2003, the International Labour Organization (ILO) began to observe World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28th April in order to emphasise the importance of the prevention of accidents and diseases at work.
The campaign’s main goal is to raise awareness internationally of the true scale of the problem and how promoting and creating a safety and health culture in the workplace can significantly reduce the number workplace deaths and injuries.
When you think of health and safety at work, the obvious things come to mind: hard hats, wet floor signs, safety goggles… But what about the dangers we can’t see?
The COVID-19 pandemic has made everyone more aware of respiratory hazards and the importance of ensuring everyone is adequately protected.
While Britain continues to be one of the safest places to work in the world, last year around 12,000 people died of preventable lung disease due to past exposure at work.
Lung diseases, such as Asbestosis, COPD and Mesothelioma, typically have a long latency period, meaning it takes years and even decades for the person to develop symptoms. But these can easily be prevented with the right protection and education.
Each respiratory hazard – whether it’s harmful fumes, dust particles, chemicals or viruses – requires respiratory protective equipment suitable for the hazard.
If you’re unsure on what equipment is required or which filters to use, please refer to your Material Safety Data Sheets, your Health and Safety Manager or get in touch with one of our RPE experts for more information.
In regards to respiratory health, the saying “knowledge is power” rings true.
Every day, literally thousands of people are unnecessarily putting their lives at risk due to lack of training, so make sure your team are clued up on the importance of RPE with our CPD accredited training programme: https://fullsupporthealthcare.com/rpe-training/
At Full Support Healthcare we have a wide range of reusable and disposable RPE solutions available on our website, to make sure you get home safe and healthy at the end of each working day.