In recognition of World Day for Safety and Health at Work (28 April), we wanted to flag the importance of health and safety awareness in the workplace. Since achieving ISO 45001 accreditation last year, we at RJS Waste Management have been more committed than ever to maintaining the highest possible health and safety standards for our staff, customers and associates.

Read on to find out more about how Occupational Safety and Health Management Systems are at the core of our business. Also, discover how we’re improving safety and health for others by providing excellent training courses.

World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2023

With this year’s tagline of, “A safe and healthy working environment is a fundamental principle and right at work”, the International Labour Organization’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work is speaking our language.

As stated by the United Nations: “The annual World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28 April promotes the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally. It is an awareness-raising campaign intended to focus international attention on the magnitude of the problem and on how promoting and creating a safety and health culture can help reduce the number of work-related deaths and injuries.

Each of us is responsible for stopping deaths and injuries on the job. As governments we are responsible for providing the infrastructure — laws and services — necessary to ensure that workers remain employable and that enterprises flourish; this includes the development of a national policy and programme and a system of inspection to enforce compliance with occupational safety and health legislation and policy. As employers, we are responsible for ensuring that the working environment is safe and healthy. As workers, we are responsible to work safely and to protect ourselves and not to endanger others, to know our rights and to participate in the implementation of preventive measures”.

On 28 April 2023, a global webinar that’s open to all will look into fulfilling a safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental principle and right at work.

Maximum awareness of safety and health

When considering safety and health at work, Global Asbestos Awareness Week (1-7 April) and World Health Day (7 April) also come into play.

This year’s World Health Day, which fell on the World Health Organization’s 75^th anniversary, promoted the importance of “Health For All”. Looking back on public health successes over the decades while motivating future change, World Health Day reminds us wellbeing is crucial whether you’re working or not.

Since exposure to asbestos was the cause of death for more than 70,000 workers in 2019 (The European Commission, 2022), this is another crucial concern for safety and health at work.

In our last news article, What do you Know About Exposure to Asbestos in Shipyards?, we considered one of the most at-risk occupations. And recent research from ElectricalDirect found that 95% of carpenters and 88% of bricklayers have encountered asbestos at work. The survey also revealed:

• 72% of current tradespeople have encountered asbestos
• 60% encounter it every year
• 25% encounter it every week
• 8% encounter asbestos every day

These stats are not only eye-opening but highlight just how important asbestos awareness, and initiatives like Global Asbestos Awareness Week, are. RJS Waste Management contributes to the cause by offering asbestos awareness safety and health at work training.

Our one-day asbestos awareness training course is designed for construction workers and their supervisors. It helps them to understand the nature of asbestos and the health risks associated with asbestos exposure. Legal requirements and safe practices for asbestos collection, removal and disposal are also covered.

Safety, Health Environment & Quality at RJS Waste Management

Since August 2022, we’ve been ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Safety and Health Management Systems) accredited. This is a celebrated standard that will help us maintain safety and health for employees and, in turn, our valued customers. The standard centres on three main improvements:

• Increased workplace safety
• Reduced workplace risks
• Enhanced workplace health and wellbeing

And as our Operations Director Jonathan Gotham says: “Achieving ISO45001 shows we’re committed to ensuring every job we undertake is carried out in a safe manner. It will also help us improve employee safety, increase productivity and identify opportunities for further improvement.”

Trust in our ISO-certified health and safety at work training company

Need asbestos awareness training to up your health and safety credentials? Looking for a reliable, professional hazardous waste removal and disposal company that’s fully insured and has a waste carrier licence. You can trust in RJS Waste Management.

With offices in West Sussex, Oxfordshire and London, our ISO 45001 company will provide efficient waste management solutions for your business or domestic property.

Contact us and we’ll put your safety and health first.