Occupational Safety and Health

Occupational Safety and Health
(Arab Trade Union Confederation Educational Platform)

Dear colleagues,
We are pleased to present this lesson on the Arab Trade Union Confederation’s educational platform, focusing on a topic of vital importance to all workers: Occupational Safety and Health (OSH).

Safety and health at work are fundamental rights within the framework of decent work. They are essential to protecting the physical and mental well-being and dignity of workers. Ensuring safe and healthy workplaces is a shared responsibility among governments, employers, and trade unions.

Amid rising occupational risks in many sectors, the spread of informal work, and the lack of enforcement of safety standards in numerous workplaces, the role of trade unions is more crucial than ever in monitoring, raising awareness, and advocating for this essential right.

Through this lesson, we will explore:
• The definition and core principles of occupational safety and health (OSH).
• Key international conventions and standards, particularly ILO Conventions No. 155 and 187.
• The most common occupational hazards and effective methods of prevention.
• The role of trade union representatives in OSH committees, including reporting mechanisms and workplace dialogue.
• Arab and global best practices in promoting a strong culture of prevention.

This lesson includes practical tools such as risk assessment forms, sample prevention plans, awareness videos, and training materials designed to build union capacity in managing OSH issues.

Defending occupational safety and health means defending the right to life itself and the right to a decent, dignified working environment. It is a core part of our trade union struggle for human-centered labor standards.

Let us engage in this lesson with commitment and responsibility, to foster a culture of prevention and protection in our workplaces.