Construction is one of the most dangerous occupations. One in six fatal accidents at work occurs on a construction site.  Each year at least 60,000 fatal accidents occur on construction sites around the world. Many more workers suffer and die from occupational diseases arising from past exposure to dangerous substances, such as asbestos. Besides, in some countries, it is estimated that 30 per cent of construction workers suffer from back pains or other musculoskeletal disorders.

Data from a number of industrialized countries show that construction workers are 3-4 times more likely than other workers to die from accidents at work. In the developing world, the risks associated with construction work are much greater: available data would suggest 3 to 6 times greater. Yet the causes of accidents are well known and almost all preventable, and as other business issues, occupational safety and health (OSH) can be managed in the enterprise.

The ILO adopted the Safety and Health in Construction Convention (No. 167) and its associated Recommendation (No. 175) in 1988. As a complement to these standards, the ILO Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Construction was approved in 1992.

In line with the newest trends in OSH management, based on the Occupational Safety and Health management systems (OSH-MS), the ILO developed the Guidelines on Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems in 2001.They apply to all economic sectors, are particularly useful in the construction industry as they highlight issues relating to subcontracting.

The International Training Centre of the ILO, Turin, in collaboration with SafeWork (the global initiative from the Social Protection Sector of the ILO to promote Occupational Safety and Health) will organize a two-week course in Turin on the principles and guidelines of OSH management in the enterprises of the construction sector, with the general purpose of exposing participants to the ILO international experience as well as other international best practices.

 

Download the brochure

                Download the nomination form

 

Thematic area : Occupational Safety and Health - OSH
Language : English
12 October 2009 / 23 October 2009