April 28, 2015 – The International Labour Organization (ILO) celebrates the World Day for Safety and Health at Work on the April 28 to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally. The same day is declared Workers Memorial Day, as an additional token of appreciation to the working class and a way of honouring those who have perished in the workplace. 

 

The ability to work is a fundamental need for survival and expansion of the soul as well as an expression of creativity for each individual. At the same time however under certain conditions, work can be a potential danger to physical and mental health. Approximately 150 million people in the European Union are exposed daily to a variety of labour related risks that threaten personal health and safety. 

 

According to official estimates by ILO, there are 2,340,000 work related deaths per year, 2,020,000 of which arise from illness derived in the workplace. The International labour Organization has stated that the total direct and indirect cost of work related accidents and illnesses accounts for 4% of the world’s GDP. In monetary terms that translates to US$ 2.8 trillion, while the social repercussions haven’t been accounted for and are immeasurable. 

 

Particular attention is given to the psychosocial risk that contributes to the increase of negative impacts in the workplace. In a recent study jointly fashioned by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU OSHA, https://osha.europa.eu/el/) and the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (EUROFOUND) it is stated that 25% of the labour force in Europe suffers from workplace anxiety throughout the majority of time spent at work. In addition the study reports that work generates negative repercussions for health at an analogous rate. 

 

The Prolepsis Institute has played an active role in promoting public health since its establishment in 1990 both at a national and European extent, with particular interest in occupational health issues. Closely examining the conditions of the workplace and its nature and investigating its most influential factors are critical functions of what the Institute stands for. Among the Programs led by Prolepsis are the initiatives developed within the workplace that aim to prevent, reduce and where possible eliminate all occupational risk. Specific indicative roles of the said programs are to explore the ways that the workplace environment influences the nutritional habits of employees, to promote a healthy diet and physical exercise, improve management of workplace stress, promote a safe way to consume alcohol at work and finally to reshape certain established company policies. In all the above initiatives the Institute embraces the development of health professional skills in order to improve overall health, especially in an ever aging demographic of employees. For further information on the Programs and the Institute please visit www.prolepsis.gr