Health, Safety and Environment - International Labour Organization

Manual 2:HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTFOR “GRASSROOTS” MEMBERSActivity – IntroductionsAIMSTo help us to: find out who is on the course agree our aims for the courseTASKTalk to another person and make notes, so that you can introduce her or him to theother people on the course. Your partner will introduce you. Use these headings foryour discussion: Your name Your union Your workplace The number of workers at your workplace Your job Have you attended any health, safety and environment courses before? Why is work-related health, safety and the environment important to you? What would you like to do on this course? Background on health, safety and the environmentWork-related health, safety and the environment involves the social,mental and physical well-being of workers, their families and thecommunity. Achieving this requires the collaboration and participation oftrade unions, workers, employers, government and other organisations.Work-related health and environment issues are often given less attentionthan work-related safety issues. But there are many health andenvironmental hazards in our working and living places. We need to obtainknowledge and skills to protect ourselves, our families, the general publicand the environment that we so much depend upon for our survival.Work-related accidents, ill health and environmental hazards can causedeath, disease and injury. This has many serious direct and indirect effectsupon: the lives of workers and their families the local community employers the State36 Health, Safety and EnvironmentA Series of Trade Union EducationManuals for Agricultural Workers