A global safety charity is urging for more frequent and tailored health and safety training, along with improved reporting tools. This call to action follows alarming findings that nearly one in five workers, or 18%, have experienced harm in the workplace worldwide.
The data comes from the latest edition of the Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll, detailed in the report titled Engineering Safer Workplaces: Global Trends in Occupational Safety and Health. Conducted by Gallup, a global analytics firm, the survey involved 147,000 interviews across 142 countries and territories. The results indicate that rates of workplace harm have remained steady since the Poll’s inception in 2019, with figures at 19% in previous editions and now at 18%.
Sector-Specific Risks
According to the report, the risk of workplace harm varies significantly across different sectors. Fishing has been identified as the most dangerous occupation, followed closely by construction and mining. Additionally, low- and lower-middle-income countries report even higher rates of workplace harm, with 19% and 22%, respectively.
Concerningly, 62% of the global workforce has never received any occupational safety and health (OSH) training related to their job risks. This lack of training is a critical factor contributing to ongoing workplace safety issues.
Employment Stability and Training Gaps
The report also highlights various aggravating factors impacting workplace safety. Workers in less stable employment situations, such as part-time employees, are more likely to experience harm compared to full-time workers—20% versus 15%. This disparity is compounded by the fact that fewer part-time employees receive safety training, with only 23% having undergone training in the past two years, compared to 41% of full-time employees.
Reporting Rates and the Impact of Training
While it is troubling that only 51% of workers who suffered harm reported their experiences, the report establishes a significant relationship between OSH training and reporting rates. Workers who have recently received training are more inclined to report incidents of workplace harm. Specifically, those who underwent safety training within the last two years are 3.3 times more likely to report harm compared to those who have never received any training. Moreover, individuals trained more than two years ago are 1.8 times more likely to report incidents.
Voices of Authority
Nancy Hey, director of evidence and insight at Lloyd’s Register Foundation, emphasized the importance of work and income in our lives. “For too many, this comes with a very high personal cost,” she stated, referencing the findings of the latest report.
She continued, “Low reporting rates, combined with a lack of awareness due to insufficient training, mean that the true extent of workplace harm is seldom revealed. Therefore, regular and tailored safety and health interventions must be prioritized by both businesses and policymakers. Clear reporting tools are essential for all employees, whether part-time or full-time. Special efforts should be made to reach those most at risk, ensuring they fully understand safety and health protocols, as well as the essential procedures designed to keep them safe.”
Adding to this, Martin Cottam, chair of ISO technical committee 283 on Occupational Health and Safety Management, remarked, “The World Risk Poll results present sobering insights for all those working to improve occupational health and safety. They underline the scale of the ongoing challenge. Amidst discussions about the myriad tools and methods available to mitigate harm, these findings are shocking.”
The findings from the Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll highlight significant gaps in occupational safety and health training. With a notable percentage of workers untrained and underreporting incidents, organizations must prioritize safety training and establish effective reporting systems. By doing so, we can work towards a safer and more informed workforce, ultimately reducing the alarming rates of workplace harm.
