MANILA — In celebration of the 2018 World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the labor department has renewed its call to “plant the seeds of awareness on the value of occupational safety and health (OSH),” especially to young workers.
Labor Assistant Secretary Amuerfina Reyes made the call last week at the OSH caravan at the Laguna Technopark Association, Inc., in Biñan, Laguna.
“We all hope that the seed will grow to the point that health and safety will become a habit, a way of life…to make our people today and the generations to come truly safe and healthy,” Reyes said, as she echoed this year’s theme, Generation Safe and Healthy.
She emphasized the need to inculcate occupational safety and health practices among the youth especially that they are vulnerable to workplace hazards.
The International Labor Organization (ILO) has reported that globally, 541 million young workers (between the ages of 15 and 24) account for 15 percent of the world’s labor force. They sustain up to 40 percent more non-fatal occupational injuries than do adult workers.
It may be attributed to their lack of basic training, less job experience, and inadequate preparation for the job.
The labor department continues to intensify its efforts in the enforcement of general labor standards and occupational safety and health standards in workplaces.
In collaboration with organized labor, the industry, the ILO and other social partners, they continuously explore different strategies to communicate the importance of occupational safety and health-related practices among the youth.
Given the unique communication style of young workers, the OSH caravan utilized interactive and creative activities such as e-learning with online games, Personal Protective Equipment exhibit, an interactive wall of safety warnings and signage, photo exhibit, prototype exhibit, mini-theater, art exhibit, and freedom wall.
The activity is part of the ILO’s SafeYouth@Work Project, a global initiative that seeks to make workplaces safer and healthier for young workers. (DOLE-PR/PNA)
