A national occupational safety and health culture is one in which the right to a safe and healthy working environment is respected at all levels by governments, employers and workers, where the principles of consultation and participation are actively employed, where the rights and responsibilities of all parties are clearly defined, and where the principle of prevention is given the highest priority.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has designated April 28th as the World Day for Safety and Health at Work to draw the attention of the world community to the scale of the problem, and to the ways in which the creation and promotion of a safety and health culture can contribute to reducing annual workplace fatalities. Since 1996, on this day, the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) has observed the International Workers' Memorial Day to commemorate workers who have died or been injured at work.
By celebrating the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the ILO promotes the formation of a global culture of prevention in occupational safety and health, engaging its tripartite constituents and all other relevant stakeholders in this endeavour.