World Day for Safety and Health at Work
Next: April 28, 2027
Get everyone home safe.
The story
Where it comes from
The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is led by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the UN agency for the world of work. The date was first set by trade unions, which since 1996 have held an International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers on 28 April. In 2003, at the unions' request, the ILO joined in and made it a day about prevention as well: a time both to remember workers hurt or killed on the job and to celebrate the fact that such accidents and illnesses can be prevented.
How it's celebrated
The ILO chooses a topic each year and publishes research and guidance on it, and governments, employers' and workers' organisations hold awareness campaigns and events. Trade unions also hold memorial events for workers who have died. For everyone else it is a good day to thank the people who keep workplaces safe, and to look out for one another at work.
Did you know
- The ILO won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1969, its 50th anniversary, for creating international rules on working conditions.
- In June 2022 the ILO made a safe and healthy working environment one of its fundamental principles and rights at work, which every member state must respect even if it has not ratified the related conventions.
- Decisions at the ILO are made by governments, employers and workers together, a system known as tripartism.
Coming up next
- International Dance Day · April 29, 2027
- International Jazz Day · April 30, 2027
- Labour Day (International Workers' Day) · May 1, 2027
- World Laughter Day · May 2, 2027
- World Tuna Day · May 2, 2027
- World Press Freedom Day · May 3, 2027