28 April 2021
Ironically on a day marked internationally to observe health and safety at work, a record-equalling 118 people were this morning waiting for a bed in emergency departments across the city … creating a very unsafe situation for patients and staff alike.
The same number was reached back on March 30. “These are the highest numbers we have seen in years and are a sign of the worsening crisis across our state’s health care system,” ANMF (SA Branch) CEO/Secretary Adj Associate Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM said at the time.
“If the chronic ramping doesn’t prompt those in power to urgently address a hospital system at risk of collapse, then surely this is the wake-up call? “The lack of beds and resources available to cater to the critical health needs of the community is a clear danger. This is the sort of statistic than can cost lives.’’
World Day for Health and Safety at Work and Workers’ Memorial Day, today, April 28, is a day to reflect on how we can better safeguard our workplaces and remember those who have died from a work-related injury or illness.
The World Day for Safety and Health at Work theme for 2021 as set by the International Labour Organization (ILO) is Anticipate, prepare and respond to crises and invest now in resilient OHS systems. The theme acknowledges the impact that the global COVID-19 pandemic has had on our working lives and the importance of building an effective, resilient, and adaptable WHS framework.
According to Amnesty International, at least 17,000 health care workers have died from COVID-19 worldwide, “a tragedy and an injustice” which translates into a death every 30 minutes.
“This is certainly a significant underestimate because there is a degree of under-reporting in a lot of countries,” Steve Cockburn, the head of economic and social justice at Amnesty International, told Al Jazeera.
Unsafe working conditions and a lack of PPE have been some of the main issues faced by health workers worldwide throughout the pandemic, especially in the early phases.
Mr Cockburn told Al Jazeera that at the beginning of the pandemic there was a shortage of PPE in almost every country at a time when many health systems were “completely overwhelmed” and understaffed, with health workers often working long shifts without proper infection control.
“That problem in many countries still remains, and in certain countries that have got a lot better … but the health workers are still highly exposed to infections … and there are many types of health workers who are often excluded or neglected from this sort of protection,” he said.
In a special report to mark this day, the ILO says countries need to put in place sound and resilient occupational safety and health (OSH) systems that would minimise the risks for everyone in the world of work in the event of future health emergencies.
This will require investment in OSH infrastructure and integrating it into overall national crisis emergency preparedness and response plans, so that workers’ safety and health is protected, and the business continuity of enterprises is supported.
The pressures and risks facing health workers during the pandemic have also taken a toll on their mental health: one in five healthcare workers globally have reported depression and anxiety symptoms, the ILO says.
In analysing the health concerns arising from the dramatic increase in teleworking during the pandemic, the ILO says that while teleworking has been essential in limiting the spread of the virus, maintaining jobs and business continuity and giving workers increased flexibility, it has also blurred the lines between work and private life. Sixty-five per cent of enterprises surveyed by the ILO and the G20 OSH Network reported that worker morale has been difficult to sustain while teleworking.
The ILO says the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the importance of social dialogue, not only in responding to crises but also in preventing and promoting good OSH conditions. “Effective social dialogue between governments, employers’ and workers’ organisations is in fact essential to promote social justice, inclusive economic growth, improved working conditions and sustainable enterprises,’’ the ILO says.
“A climate of trust, built through social dialogue and tripartism, is essential for the effective implementation of measures to address emergencies such as COVID-19, which require quick but effective action.’’
The International Trade Union Confederation has set the theme for Workers’ Memorial Day 2021 -
https://www.tuc.org.uk/wmd - as ‘Health and Safety is a fundamental workers' right’.
The ACTU marked Workers’ Memorial Day today by attacking the Morrison Government for failing to act on a single recommendation of the Boland review - released in February 2019. Almost 400 people have died at work since the report was released.
The Boland review of model WHS legislation handed down 34 recommendations including that the model WHS Act be amended to introduce an offence of industrial manslaughter.
“Businesses receiving a small fine that they can claim on insurance for someone dying at their workplace is appalling – there is no justice. We need Industrial Manslaughter legislation in every state and territory,’’ ACTU Assistant Secretary Liam O’Brien said.
“Every week four workers in Australia don’t come home. Inaction by this Government is ripping families apart and allowing needless pain and suffering.’’