April 28: World Day for Safety and Health at Work
28 April 2025 marks World Day for Safety and Health at Work, which was established by the International Labor Organization (ILO) in 1984. In this context, Suva encourages companies to strengthen their prevention culture.
According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), almost 3 million people worldwide die at work every year - an increase of over 12 percent compared to 2000. Most of these deaths are due to occupational diseases.
Deaths in Switzerland significantly lower compared to the rest of the world
According to statistics, deaths from occupational diseases are also higher than deaths from accidents at work in Switzerland. Between 2019 and 2023, around 218 employees died each year as a result of their work, 153 of these deaths were due to occupational diseases. The proportion of these deaths due to occupational diseases (70%) is well below the global average. It is also worth noting that 90 percent of deaths from occupational diseases in Switzerland are attributable to asbestos.
The culture of prevention: a cornerstone of health and safety in the workplace
On the occasion of World Day for Safety and Health at Work on April 28, 2025, Suva reminds us that the vital rules and checklists are still part of the basics of accident prevention. At the same time, however, the integration of a strong, evolving prevention culture that is practiced by all stakeholders must be further promoted.
For Suva, this requires six dimensions: Communication, values & rules, leadership, learning, responsibility and operational organization.
In order to master the current challenges in the area of occupational safety, health protection and leisure safety, it is important to integrate this prevention approach into everyday working life. "A strong prevention culture can be recognized by the fact that safe and healthy working is a matter of course for the company and its employees," reminds Heinz Waldmann, occupational safety/health protection expert at Suva.
After all, a strong prevention culture not only helps to significantly reduce accidents and absences, but also helps to improve performance, efficiency, the quality of work and the image and reputation of the company. According to Suva, a culture of prevention is therefore an important investment in the company and its employees.
Further information: Suva
