The Scientific and Technical Chamber of Cyprus (ETEK) and the Cyprus Association of Civil Engineers (CACE) are conducting an awareness campaign from 22nd to 28th April 2024 in anticipation of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28th April.
This campaign aims to raise awareness about occupational safety and health issues and accident prevention, intensifying efforts to inform professionals and the public, uniting their voice with the International Labour Organization.
28th April is established by the International Labour Organization as the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, commemorating the victims of occupational accidents.
This year’s message focuses on the timely issue of the impacts of climate change on occupational safety and health under the slogan: “There is no other time. We ensure healthy and safe work now in a changing climate.”
In their announcement, they note that climate change exacerbates, among other things, risks from heat stress, ultraviolet radiation, atmospheric pollution, major industrial accidents, extreme weather events, communicable diseases from carriers, and exposure to chemicals.
They emphasise that for the Scientific and Technical Chamber of Cyprus, creating a safe and sustainable built environment for safe living and working conditions is a top priority, protecting the natural environment, fostering societal and economic development, taking climate change into account, and contributing to Sustainable Development.
Especially for promoting safety and health at work, ETEK participates as an official partner in the global campaign themed “Vision Zero – Safety.Health.Wellbeing,” aiming for “Zero Workplace Accidents.”
This campaign is an initiative of the International Social Security Organization that started in 2017, and today “Zero Fatal Accidents” is a strategic priority of the European Commission’s Strategic Framework for Health and Safety at Work 2021-2027 and Cyprus’ Strategy for Safety and Health at Work 2021-2027.
For this purpose, the Chamber promotes actions and initiatives to create a culture and mindset of risk prevention for the benefit of workers, businesses, and society, and will continue to take measures and initiatives aimed at informing and raising awareness among employers and employees.
Recently, ETEK has urged its members to participate in this global effort using the “Vision Zero” logo as a signature in their electronic correspondence under the slogan “Safety Starts with You – Join Vision Zero.”
Finally, on the occasion of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the Chamber calls on professionals and especially its members to prioritise safety and health issues in the workplace and to apply prevention principles in every action and decision for effective risk prevention and management.
