Occupational safety and health literacy

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) literacy is the degree to which individuals have the functional capacity to access, process and use the occupational safety and health (OSH) information, services and skills needed to eliminate or reduce risk in the workplace.^[1]

OSH is the acronym for occupational safety and health. It is sometimes also referred to simply as health and safety (H&S), occupational health and safety (OHS) and workplace safety and health (WSH). In recent years the term has expanded to include environmental and quality assurance concepts. You may also see OSH referred to as occupational safety and health and environment (OSHE) safety, health and environment (SHE), environment, health and safety (EHS), Safety Health Environment and Quality (SHEQ) as well as several other terms. However, OSH is the most established term and is used by many major national and international bodies working in the field of workplace safety and health such as: OSHA and NIOSH (US), EU-OSHA (EU), ASEAN-OSHNET^[2] (Asia), KOSHA^[3] (South Korea) IOSH (international).^[1] The United Nations (UN),^[4] Occupational Safety and Health | UN Global Compact,^[5] International Labour Organization (ILO) Occupational safety and health^[6] and World Health Organization (WHO),^[7] also specifically use the term OSH when relating to workplace safety and health issues. The term is specifically used in the UN Sustainable Development Goals SDGs 2030^[8] under SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth^[9] and is also closely tied to SDG 3.^[10]

In the globalised, Age of Information, we use a unique system comprised of different shapes, colours, symbols, signals and specialized terminology to communicate information to prevent accidents.^[11] This communication system has been standardized by the International Standards Organization (ISO).^[11] The UN's GHS for the Global classification of Hazardous Substances and the Vienna Convention on road traffic signs and symbols and other professional bodies. It is a common misconception that these safety and health signs are only applicable to occupational settings. It has been established that the ability to identify, interpret and use these universally applied symbols and jargon constitutes a literacy. As with other 'literacies' there are basic competencies that a person also needs to be classed as 'literate' in that field. With OSH literacy these are: Knowledge, Skills, Behaviour and Communication. Levels can be mapped to competency matrixes from entry level to advanced.

Examples of OSH literacy can be found at home on everyday household products: cleaning chemicals, cosmetics, electrical appliances, food packaging, fuels, paints and pesticides in public places: airports, shopping malls, sports and concert arenas, public roads, schools etc., and at work.^[12][13] ISO Standard 7010:2019 prescribes safety signs for the purposes of accident prevention, fire protection, health hazard information and emergency evacuation. It is applicable to all locations where safety issues related to people need to be addressed.^[14] Safety signs, symbols, signals and terminology have become ubiquitous in or daily lives, yet most people have never been taught how to find, identify, evaluate or apply this essential information.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that nearly 3 million women and men around the world succumb to work-related accidents or diseases every year; this corresponds to over 7500 deaths every single day. Worldwide, there are around 374 million occupational accidents and 160 million victims of work-related illnesses annually. The ILO updates these estimates at intervals, and the updates indicate an increase in accidents and ill health.^[15] According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), accidents are the leading cause of death and disability for young people aged 10 - 18 globally. Unintentional (accidental fatalities are the leading cause of death in nearly all developed countries for young people aged 5 - 25. Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) are the biggest killer. Drowning, chemical poisoning, slips, trips and falls, electrocution, fires, burns and scalds are also significant contributors to this data.

Data analysis shows that lack of safety and health education, poor communications and human factors are a root-causal factor in a significantly high number of all recorded accidents globally.^[16]

Within employment, poor OSH literacy skills and human factors are the root-causal factor in a significantly high percentage of accidents. Particularly vulnerable groups include young workers,^[17] older workers (aged over 45),^[18] migrant workers,^[19] persons with both visible and invisible disabilities,^[20] people with low or no (illiterate) levels of literacy,^[21] individuals who are speakers of English as a second language (English is the lingua-franca of OSH and the global workplace).^[22]

There is no data currently available to show the amounts of deaths, diseases, injuries and losses which occur in the home or in public places due to a lack of OSH literacy skills. Nevertheless, the available statistical-data, suggests that there is a strong correlation between the number of people entering into new workplaces with little or no OSH literacy skills and the occurrence of OSH related incidents within the first twelve months of their employment.^{[23][24][25][26]}

For many years international organizations involved with safety and health education such as: ENETOSH,^[27] OSH-Africa,^[28] OSHA-EU,^[29] OSHA,^[30] IOSH,^[31] the WHO and ILO have been advocating for safety and health to be mainstreamed into education.

These institutions highlight the life-long, socio-economic and health benefits that this can bring and that it can act as a foundation for life-long learning. It can be taught as a stand-alone subject or integrated into other subjects. Whole school approaches are also advocated.^[32][33] Although numerous initiatives have been trialled, as the data shows, these have not been successful. Already overworked teachers have been reluctant to add to their already heavy workloads to research, plan, teach and assess subjects that they know little about. There is competition on already crowded curricula from other more well-known and well-resourced literacies such as financial, health and media literacy.

Research has shown that treating OSH as a literacy and pre-teaching basic OSH literacy skills greatly increases a person's ability to understand, engage and comply with OSH information and training. Thus, decreasing the likelihood that they will have an accident due to poor communications and lack of knowledge and skills. In addition, teaching OSH literacy in the safety of a classroom allows for individuals, who may have difficulty with this literacy, to be identified early so that remedial actions can be taken to safeguard them and others from potential harm and losses. Additionally, those who have gained OSH literacy skills can cascade their new skills and knowledge within their families and communities.^[34]

As the data shows, OSH literacy is an essential life-skill literacy for the 21st century. It is applicable anywhere, across all regions, industries, contexts, languages and demographics. It is linked to the United Nations’ Social Development Goals (UN SDGs) 2030, in particular SDGs 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 16 & 17.^[35]

In June 2023, The International Standards Organization released Part one (1) of its much anticipated Plain Language Standard (ISO 24495-1:2023 - Plain language — Part 1: Governing principles and guidelines). The ISO Plain Language Standard provides all industry sectors with a set of guidelines and strategies to make information more accessible and effective. The ISO are also responsible for the design and application of OSH signage. The guidelines are applicable across all languages and industries, as is OSH.

In June 2022, the International Labor Conference added Safety and Health to its Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. As a result of this decision, all ILO member states will be required to commit to respect and promote the fundamental right to a safe and healthy working environment, whether or not they have ratified the relevant conventions.^[36]