Occupational safety and health in times of economic crisis: the need to resist temptation

[Omaha Steve]

http://transitional.pww.org/article/view/15384/

Author: ILO Online
People's Weekly World Newspaper, 04/27/09 18:15

Original source: ILO Online http://www.ilo.org/global/About_the_ILO/Media_and_public_information/Feature_stories/lang--en/WCMS_105129/index.htm


ILO Online
This crane operator works high above the ground at this Beijing skyscraper construction site. Many are migrant workers from the countryside.
With credit barely flowing and global demand on a downward slide, enterprises around the world are struggling to cope with the global economic crisis. Meanwhile, the numbers of unemployed and working poor are rising. How is the crisis affecting working conditions?


For this year’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work (28 April), ILO Online asks Dr. Sameera Al-Tuwaijiri, director of the ILO’s Safe Work Program, how the crisis may impact on the health and safety of workers.

How is the financial and economic crisis affecting occupational health and safety standards?

First of all, let’s remember that even before the current crisis, globalization had already brought about major changes to workplaces worldwide. Privatization, industrial restructuring, new forms of work organization, the break-up of larger state enterprises and the proliferation of small enterprises – to name just a few of these changes – directly affected employment, industrial relations and, consequently, occupational safety and health (OSH) standards.

Now the global financial crisis has become a factor of concern for the health and safety of workers around the world. On the one hand, workers have to deal with the fear and stress of losing their jobs. At the same time, downsizing production, changing working-time patterns and/or increasing job demands simply to stay in business may have a negative impact. In some cases, we might expect a reduction in resources allocated to safety and health. Enforcement agencies, labour inspectorates and occupational safety and health services may also have to operate with limited resources. The result could be a sharp rise in work accidents, injuries and fatalities and work-related stress.

Do all workers in all workplaces face the same risks? Or are some more at risk than others?

No workplace is immune or free from occupational diseases and accidents. But some are more at risk than others. Micro enterprises in the informal sector – where economic survival is the first priority – tend to lack resources and know-how on OSH management. If they weren’t thinking about OSH issues before the crisis, it’s unlikely they will start doing so now. If more workers take on precarious work and jobs in the informal economy, it stands to reason that there may be more exposures to occupational hazards and risks. Migrants may be more affected than local workers as they are often found in more precarious situations. It is worth pointing out here that the potential impact on the health of workers goes beyond the victims of downsizing or the remaining workers. It also affects workers’ families and the communities where restructuring occurs.


FULL story at link.