Let us go back and take a look at some of the regimes where workers and labourers died in their work premises. These deaths, and most often accidents happened due to workers being oppressed and made to work round the clock. This left no time for them to pay any attention to their health and safety. There was ignorance among the work force and also negligence from the authorities that led to this kind of treatment.
Be it the Ford’s assembly-line method of manufacturing that required workers to move their hands like machines or the Bhopal gas tragedy that claimed the lives of not just the factory workers but also the city dwellers and has wrecked the lives of generations to come.
World Day for Safety and Health at Work is commemorated every year on April 28 that highlights prevention of workplace incidents and ill health. It campaigns to strengthen workers’ unions that can demand for safety.
Safety at work cannot take a back seat. The health and safety of people that work across various industries is questionable.
City Express takes a look at the safety measures that are in place across various industries in the city
Tobacco industry
Cigarette smoking is injurious to health they say. But one employee from a leading cigar factory in the city says otherwise. “Firstly, it is a misconception that tobacco industry is hazardous for workers. Tobacco is a crop and this industry is just an extension of the food industry. However, we take immense safety measures for our workers at the machine arena and they are encouraged to use personal protective equipment. We conduct regular safety training sessions to make workers aware of the possible hazards with the machines,” shares the engineer who wishes to remain anonymous.
IT industry
This vast industry that comprises a large number of companies where each one has its own safety policy. Ratnam, an employee of a leading IT company in the city shares that their lives are protected. “My company provides insurance coverage in case of any medical emergency. The company’s policy also allows me to provide medical care to my close members of my family. Apart from that, for our everyday health we have a fitness centre in the office. Safety measures taken for employers’ benefits are also commendable. We are dropped at home in cabs if we happen to work till late in the night. We are always free to write to the Human Resource department in case we face any problems and the company does its best to help us.”
Hospital Industry
The industry set up for people’s health care also ensures that the employees of their own sector are safe. “We can claim medical insurance in case of emergencies. Coming to the safety of doctors, care is taken that the we does not contract any infection from the patient and the entire hospital generally maintained as a ‘zero germ’ zone. However, in case of medical emergencies, the hospital does not provide us with any transportation and we have to commute by ourselves to the hospital no matter what the time is,” shares Dr P Avinash a Pediatrician from the city.
Police personnel
One of the most hazardous jobs is that of controlling the heavy flow of traffic that comes with reckless drivers. Traffic cop Venkateshwara Rao says, “We have a health card provided by the government where in case of any medical emergencies or our family members we can claim up to `3 lakh. Also, all traffic police personnel are taken for medical check up yearly. For those above the age of 40, an additional `3,000 is alloted for health check ups. For every day duty, we are given masks, goggles, gloves, raincoats, water bottles depending upon the requirement”.
Metro Rail Workers
“We are given excellent accommodation by L&T near Uppal where we are allowed to stay there till our contract ends. We can visit the Matrix hospital in the same locality in case of any medical emergencies after consulting our seniors.
First aid is also provided immediately in case of any work related accidents. We are provided with radium coats to avoid accidents in the night and we also have gloves, shoes and goggles. We are also given ORS along with water bottles in summer,” shares Bhola Singh, metro rail contract worker.
The significance
The International Labour Organization (ILO) started observing the World Day for Safety and Health at Work on April 28, 2003. The ILO is devoted to advancing opportunities for people to obtain decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. It aims to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, boost social protection, and strengthen dialogue in work-related issues.
The United Nations, the International Labour Organization and other organisations, communities, individuals, and government bodies with an aim to better the conditions of workplaces unite on or around April 28 to promote an international campaign known as World Day for Safety and Health at Work.