Global Forum for Prevention

XX World Congress on Safety and Health at Work 2014

The World Congress for Safety and Health at Work offers a platform for the exchange of information and views to experts in occupational safety and health (OSH), representatives of enterprises and workers (the social partners), decision-makers in governments and public authorities, and anyone else active in the area of OSH.

Objectives

The World Congress 2014
  • Provides a forum for the exchange of knowledge, practices and experience between participants with the aim of promoting safety and health at work
  • Reinforces and builds networks and alliances while laying the groundwork for cooperation and strengthening relationships among all concerned
  • Provides a platform for the development of knowledge and strategic and practical ideas that can be put into use immediately

Sharing a Vision for Sustainable Prevention

That is the motto of the 2014 World Congress. The motto characterizes the three main topics that will be addressed by the Technical Sessions of the Congress:

Prevention Culture – Prevention Strategies – Vision Zero

Vision Zero – a world in which people work safely and healthily and in which they are protected against serious or fatal occupational accidents. This requires the development not only of a global prevention culture in the field of OSH, but also of sustainable strategies – both of which improve human well-being and benefit economies and social systems.

Challenges in Occupational Health

Set against a backdrop of technological, economic and social developments and ever-increasing globalization, the protection of human health in the workplace represents a considerable challenge. The relocation of production facilities to other countries or continents is accompanied by the relocation of associated risks to human health.

Diversity in the World of Work

An increasing number of people from different ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic backgrounds now work together. In addition, new forms of work characterized by heterogeneous working and employment conditions have developed around the world. Prevention strategies must be geared to these complex framework conditions and must ensure that social issues are not neglected in the course of economic globalization. Issues such as gender equality and demographic development are also relevant.

Participants and programme

This XX World Congress on Safety and Health at Work 2014 will bring together decision-makers, government officials, safety and health professionals, employers, workers and experts from many relevant disciplines to share their knowledge, experience and inspiration on how to make workplaces safe and healthy everywhere", Guy Ryder, ILO Director-General 
The World Congress is the OSH event of the year. Participants keep up to date on OSH issues, meet experts from all over the world, and network, locally and interactively. The programme reflects the most important OSH topics worldwide. It offers top-class speakers, interactive attractions, and a wide range of topics. The 2014 Congress will include an Opening and Closing Ceremony, Plenary Sessions with Keynotes, Technical Sessions, Symposia, the Forum for Prevention, an exhibition and various activities in the Agora open-air congress space and the German Evening. Technical Tours, the International Media Festival for Prevention – IMFP and an accompanying Trade Fair complete the programme. Congress Programme with updated overview.

The organizers

The 2014 Congress is being organized by the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) as the national host, in conjunction with the International Social Security Association (ISSA) and the ILO. The World Congress for Safety and Health at Work opens its doors every three years. Each time, a different country is the host. The World Congress will mark its twentieth anniversary in Frankfurt. The event was held for the first time in Rome (Italy) in 1955.