A Safe And Healthy Working Environment Has Implications For Ones Retirement

A Safe And Healthy Working Environment Has Implications For Ones Retirement

OPINION

This comment was first published on New Vision on May 5, 2023.

Lydia Mirembe

On Friday, April 28, the United Nations celebrated the International Day for Safety and Health with the theme "A safe and healthy working environment is a principle and a fundamental right in the workplace."

According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), every year approximately 160 million people suffer from occupational diseases and 2.3 million people die as a result of occupational accidents and occupational diseases. Additionally, many workplace accidents and injuries go unreported. If injuries and consequences are not recognized quickly, it can be difficult to even find work-related causes.

It tells the story of a young factory worker whose hand was crushed while using a machine tool in a factory. Due to the loss of both hands, he could not continue his work and was forced to retire early. His employer sent him home with a prosthetic arm and some compensation. The young man lived crippled to old age. Needless to say, it was not a happy life. Everything was focused on safety and health at work.

We are constantly faced with health and safety issues in the workplace. Workers are exposed to a series of hazards: diseases caused by chemical, physical or biological agents; Respiratory diseases, skin diseases, cancer, injuries, musculoskeletal disorders, and work-related mental and behavioral disorders. Health and safety risks in the workplace have a human and economic cost, with workers and their families bearing the brunt. For example, injured workers lose wages and incur medical expenses that are not covered by company insurance policies. Injured workers are unable to care for their families and communities due to injury or death. In the same situation, the employer may suffer losses due to safety or health-related conditions at work.

Production processes are interrupted; Employee morale and productivity will drop significantly; Additional costs associated with hiring and replacing injured workers, not to mention the risk to the company's reputation. In terms of retirement planning, it should be noted that the impact of health and safety conditions in the workplace may not be seen until several years later and may affect the physical and financial well-being of the affected employee after retirement. Take for example occupational diseases that can result from exposure to hazardous substances such as chemicals or dust.

These diseases may not appear for many years after exposure, which can have serious health consequences for workers. Workers exposed to physical or mental stress at work may be more likely to develop chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, or mental illness.

Workers with physical injuries, such as back injuries or repetitive strain injuries, may experience chronic pain or reduced mobility as they age. These conditions affect a worker's ability to perform daily activities, require expensive treatment or rehabilitation, and affect quality of life in old age.

Employers do the right thing by helping their employees save and plan for retirement by contributing to statutory or company pension plans. However, they must go beyond the financial aspects of their employee pension plan. Employers must provide a safe and healthy work environment and employees must take steps to protect their health and safety in the workplace.

Both employers and employees must follow standard safety practices required by national laws, codes and guidelines, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Act 2006 and the National Occupational Safety and Health Policy.

The Department for Equality, Labor and Social Development has produced a Guide to Health and Safety at Work, which provides practical guidance on how to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act.

International Day for Safety at Work May 1 International Workers' Day is just two days away. Both days provide a good time to reflect on the long-term implications for health and well-being.

In a suitable environment, workers should be protected from hazards and risks that may occur from their work. They must have conditions and resources conducive to their physical, mental and social well-being. Employers must provide simple things such as adequate lighting and ventilation, clean and sanitary facilities, access to medical services, and employee education and training to help them identify hazards and risks. Employees should not have to sacrifice their health and safety for career success only to lose benefits as they try to regain their health over the course of their lifetime.

The author is a communication expert.

By SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info) provided.

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