Chemical safety

Millions of workers die or fall sick globally due to chemical exposure in textiles, pesticides in agriculture, asbestos in construction, mercury in mining

A global framework for international chemicals and waste management, known as Beyond 2020, was discussed in Bangkok from 30 September - 4 October 2019.

News | 08 October 2019
Contact(s): labadmin-osh@ilo.org
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) is rapidly mobilizing governments, employers and workers worldwide to take action against these deadly hazardous workplace exposures to chemicals and waste.

Workers are exposed to chemicals in the production process, handling, storage, transport and disposal of chemicals across all economic activities.

The worlds of Labour, health, environment and agriculture are joining forces to combat these global issues of concern.

Global supply chains have a clear responsibility across borders to ensure the highest of standards to protect workers’ health, and that of the public and the environment.

The ILO provides the only legally binding conventions in this area for the world of work and calls for the ratification of ILO Conventions on Occupational Safety and Health, as well as on its chemical-specific conventions: ILO Chemicals Convention No. 170 and the Major Industrial Accidents Convention No. 174.

“We need to put an end to this suffering, occupational diseases are a reality and it is our duty to prevent them” said Ms Manal Azzi, ILO’s occupational safety and health specialist.

The prevention of hazardous exposures at work is a human right!

Every worker has a right to a safe and healthy working environment. The time to act is now: to protect the health of our workers, our families and our communities worldwide.