ICS’ partner the International Labour Organization has adopted a code of practice on safety and health in textiles, clothing, leather and footwear industries.
Based on international labour standards and other sectoral guidelines, the code provides comprehensive and practical advice on how to eliminate, reduce and control all major hazards and risks. This includes chemical substances, ergonomic and physical hazards, tools, machines and equipment, as well as building and fire safety. More than 60 million workers around the globe will benefit from the new code, which will be of particular importance to developing countries and emerging economies.
Work-related diseases and injuries caused by exposure to 19 occupational risk factors were responsible for the deaths of 1.9 million people in 2016, according to the first joint estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Labour Organization (ILO). In relation to non-fatal occupational accidents, ILO estimates reveal over 360 million cases in 2016, representing an increase when compared to the figures of 2010 (340 million). More than four per cent of the world’s annual gross domestic product (GDP) is lost as a consequence of work-related injuries and diseases.
The draft code is available for download here.