Health, Safety and Environment - International Labour Organization

FOREWORDRon Oswald, General Secretary, IUFThe International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and AlliedWorkers’ Associations (IUF) is an international trade union network composed of 336 tradeunions in 120 countries representing a combined membership of over 12 million workers. TheIUF organises workers in the global food chain and represents a ‘plough to plate’ approach tofood production. Affiliated unions of the IUF represent and organise waged workers in: agricultural production and primary processing food processing industries hotels, restaurants and cateringThe IUF is committed “to actively promote the organisation of the world’s food resources for thecommon good of the population as a whole.” IUF rules lay down the basic principles of IUF foodpolicy, which include a commitment to ensure an adequate supply of safe, affordable food forall.However, the IUF believes that much of the world’s food is produced in ways that are not“sustainable” in the longer-term from a social, economic or environmental viewpoint. This isespecially true of health, safety and environment. Those working in agriculture are engaged inan industry that is not sustainable as measured by the loss of human life, injury and ill health.In 2002, the International Labour Organisation ILO) estimated that 355,000 fatal accidentstake place every year. Previous ILO estimates suggest that over half these fatal accidents takeplace in agriculture. Agricultural workers also suffer disproportionately among the 270 millionworkers injured each year, and the 160 million who are suffering from work-related diseases.Furthermore, the high levels of fatalities, accidents, and ill health have a considerable negativeimpact on agricultural productivity. IUF sees a safe, healthy and environmentally consciousworkforce as an essential element of a profitable and sustainable agricultural industry.For IUF, work on improving Health, Safety and Environmental (HS&E) standards has to beviewed in the context of promoting sustainable agriculture and rural development (SARD).Agricultural workplaces have to be sustainable both in terms of protecting the workersemployed there, and in reducing any negative impact of production on public health, foodquality, and the general environment. This is important in winning broad public and politicalsupport for union work on HS&E.Trade unions and their members have a vested interest in promoting their industry and ensuringits long-term profitability and sustainability. To ensure the long-term future of the agriculturalindustry, IUF and its affiliated trade unions wish to see collective bargaining agreementsextended to cover the promotion of sustainable agriculture, including clauses on workplaceHS&E issues.The IUF has developed this series of Manuals to help union affiliates to tackle health, safetyand environmental problems through their training programmes.xiiiHealth, Safety and EnvironmentA Series of Trade Union EducationManuals for Agricultural Workers