The International Labour Organisation (ILO) began observing World Day for Safety and Health at Work in 2003 to raise the political profile of occupational health and safety and to fulfill an integral component of ‘advocacy’ in its Global Strategy on Occupational Safety and Health.
Given that nearly 60% of the world’s population is employed, the fundamental right of all workers to a safe and healthy environment is of great importance. Occupational health and safety encompass physical, mental, and social well-being while simultaneously preventing hazards related to the workplace.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the ILO estimate that work-related diseases and injuries caused 1.88 million deaths in 2016. A safe and healthy work environment supports mental health, and good mental health enables people to work productively. Issues such as depression and anxiety are prevalent in the workplace, affecting productivity and performance. If left untreated, the economic cost is estimated at one trillion US dollars annually.
Effective organizational policies, early detection of health issues, health screenings, and preventive care contribute to a safety net and increase workers’ health awareness.
The Association for Addiction Prevention NARKO-NE, in partnership with the Public Health Institute of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and with the support of the Employers’ Association in FBiH, is currently conducting a study to analyze the state and assess the needs of companies/institutions/organizations for preventive interventions in the work environment. The research covers 104 institutions from various sectors: healthcare institutions, social protection institutions, government bodies, NGOs and associations, educational institutions, and companies from industries including construction, trade, and hospitality.
The study addresses questions such as how many of the surveyed companies/institutions/organizations take preventive measures against addiction in the workplace, how many would accept the implementation of addiction prevention programs that contribute to the development and improvement of employee health, and whether there is a system for monitoring the use of addictive substances at work. Results will be published soon.
Azra Halilović
