On 28 April each year the International Labour Organisation (ILO) celebrates the World Day for Safety and Health at Work to coincide with the world trade union movement’s International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers. This day, today, honours the memory of victims who have suffered occupational illnesses, injuries and accidents whilst creating awareness of the necessity to prevent such instances occurring in the future.

In 2014, 186 registered fatalities occurred in workplaces across Australia. As at 23 April 2015, 48 Australian workers have passed away whilst at work since the start of the calendar year. More than ever the ILO’s theme for this year’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work “Join in building a culture of prevention on OSH” is required in Australian workplaces, to ensure that each worker returns safely to their families at the end of the working day.

In light of today’s theme of creating a culture of prevention, we urge you to take a moment today to ensure that you are safe, happy and healthy during your working day and to identify and take steps to prevent factors that may cause a risk to your or your colleague’s health and safety whilst at work.

We wish you a very safe, healthy and productive day.