To provide a practical basis for employers, workers and governments to work together to advance an occupational safety and health (OSH) prevention culture in the textile, clothing, leather and footwear manufacturing sector, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has worked out its first code of practice on safety and health for these industries. More than 60 million workers in these industries are expected to benefit from it.
The new code is based on evidence: According to the ILO, about 2.8 million workers in different sectors die from work-related injuries and diseases every year. Another 160 million suffer from work-related illnesses, and 374 million experience non-fatal injuries. And there is also an economic background: More than four percent of the world’s annual gross domestic product (GDP) is lost due to work-related injuries and diseases.
Based on international labor standards and other sectoral guidelines, the code provides comprehensive and practical advice on eliminating, reducing and controlling all major hazards and risks. This includes chemical substances, ergonomic and physical hazards, tools, machines and equipment, as well as building and fire safety.
The expert group that has created the new code is a joint intervention co-funded by the European Union and the ILO. The jury of this “Sustainable supply chains to build back better” (SSCBBB) aims to promote decent work in global supply chains of key importance to the EU. This includes the development of new knowledge, tools, guidance, policy advice, technical assistance and training to address decent work challenges and opportunities in five sectors: coffee, electronics, fisheries, rubber gloves and textiles.
