National Safety Day 2024: National Safety Day is a significant event observed on March 4. This day serves as a reminder to prioritize and adopt measures that ensure the well-being of individuals and the prevention of accidents. It emphasises the call to action for promoting a culture of safety across all spheres of society.
This year, on the 53rd week of national safety celebration, let’s take a quick look at the date, history, and objectives of National Safety Day.
National Safety Day 2024: Date & Theme
National Safety Day 2024 is observed every year on March 4. The day also marks the beginning of National Safety Week.
This year's theme is 'Focus on Safety Leadership for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Excellence.'
National Safety Day 2024: History
The Ministry of Labour and Employment of the Indian government established the National Safety Council on March 4, 1996. It is a self-supporting, non-governing organization. In 2000, the Bombay Public Trust Act of 1950 was used to create the National Safety Council as a public trust.
In 1972, National Safety Day was announced to celebrate the establishment of National Safety Day. Since its founding, the National Safety Council has led the National Safety Day/Safety Week Campaign on March 4, which has greatly aided in raising awareness of safety in all spheres of society. The campaign is broad, all-inclusive, and adaptable, encouraging the participating organizations to create customised activities that meet their safety needs.
National Safety Day 2024: Objectives
Every year, National Safety Day is observed to highlight safety measures and explore ways to make every sector safer for people. However, the main objectives of National Safety Day are:
- Take the Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE) movement to different parts of the country.
- To achieve the participation of major players in different industrial sectors at different levels.
- To promote the use of a participatory approach by employers by involving their employees in SHE activities.
- To promote the development of need-based activities, self-compliance with statutory requirements and professional SHE management systems at workplaces.
- To bring into the fold of voluntary SHE movement sectors, which have not so far been statutorily covered.
- To remind employers, employees, and others concerned of their responsibility in making the workplace safer.
Highlights of Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2019
- Working conditions will be notified by the central government. Conditions may include a hygienic work environment, clean drinking water, and toilets.
- Welfare facilities such as canteens, first aid boxes, and crèches, may be provided as per standards notified by the central government. Additional facilities may be specified for factories, mines, docks, and building and construction work such as welfare officers, and temporary housing.
- The Code includes three schedules containing lists of: (i) 29 diseases that the employer is required to notify the authorities of, in case a worker contracts them, (ii) 78 safety matters that the government may regulate, and (iii) 29 industries involving hazardous processes. The lists may be amended by the central government.
Source: PRS Legislative Research
As we mark another National Safety Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to creating a safer and healthier environment for ourselves and those around us. Safety is not merely a set of rules and regulations; it is a collective responsibility that demands our constant vigilance and proactive efforts. Let National Safety Day inspire us to make safety a way of life, ensuring that every day becomes a testament to our dedication to the welfare of all.
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