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Be careful

27 April 2004 Professor John Smallwood

The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is intended to focus international attention on promoting and creating a safety and health culture at work and to help reduce the number of occupational-related fatalities, injuries and diseases.

It is significant that the 28 April is the day after the day on which South Africa celebrates the anniversary of the first democratic elections. 

Significant, because there is no real freedom, including security and human rights, till the threat from injury and disease is removed from workplaces.  Mr Kofi Annan, Secretary General, United Nations during a speech delivered in New York on 28 April 2002 said:

“Safety and health of workers is a part and parcel of human security.  As the lead United Nations agency for the protection of workers’ rights, the ILO has been at the forefront of advocacy and activism in promoting safety and health at work. 

"Safe work is not only sound economic policy, it is a basic human right.” 

One industry sector that has a poor reputation is the South African construction industry, in terms of health and safety (H&S).  

It has received substantial unfavourable media coverage, among other the media statement entitled ‘Minister Mdladlana appalled at working conditions in the Construction Industry 20 January 2004’ (Department of Labour, 2004).

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