News
2m people die a year due to work -related accidents, illnesses -Report
Work-related illnesses and injuries kill nearly two million people annually, largely due to long working hours, the UN said Friday, warning that the pandemic was likely to worsen the situation.
The first-ever joint assessment by the UN’s health and labour agencies of the global disease and injury burden linked to jobs stretches from 2000 to 2016, so does not include the dramatic shifts in working conditions brought on by the Covid-19 crisis.
Some 1.9 million deaths worldwide were officially linked to work-related causes in 2016, up slightly from 1.7 million at the turn of the century, according to the report, which cautioned these were almost certainly underestimates.
Long working hours “are the single deadliest occupational risk factor” World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference in a video statement.
Exposure to long working hours, defined as working 55 hours a week or more, was deemed responsible for some 750,000 deaths in 2016, the report said.
In all, the study examines 19 occupational risk factors, including exposure to carcinogens like asbestos, ergonomic factors like prolonged sitting and manual handling of loads.
After long working hours, workplace exposure to gases, fumes and other air pollution was seen as the top risk, responsible for some 450,000 deaths in 2016.
“It’s shocking to see so many people literally being killed by their jobs,” Tedros said, describing the report as “a wake-up call to countries and businesses to improve and protect the health and safety of workers.”
Long Working Hours Kill
The report found that non-communicational diseases accounted for a full 82 percent of work-related deaths in 2016, with the greatest cause of death being chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which killed 415,000 people that year.
That was followed by strokes, at 400,000, and ischaemic heart disease at 350,000.
Occupational injuries were responsible for 18 percent of all work-related deaths, and were estimated to have killed 360,000 people in 2016.
“All of these deaths are preventable,” International Labour Organization chief Guy Ryder said in a video message.
“We can and we must ensure safe and healthy workplaces for all workers.”
On a positive note, the global death rate from work-related causes shrank by 14 percent over the 16-year-period covered in the report, although a growing global population meant the number of deaths remained about the same.
The decrease from 39.9 to 34.3 deaths per 100,000 working age people was possibly a reflection of improvements in workplace safety measures, the report said.
But while there was a sharp drop in the number of deaths caused by occupational injuries, deaths linked to long working hours surged over the same period.
The death rate from heart disease associated with exposure to long working hours ballooned by 41 percent, while stroke deaths brought on by excessive work rose 19 percent, the report showed.
While the report did not look at the pandemic impact, the UN agencies have previously warned the crisis appeared to be feeding the trend towards increased working hours, with teleworking blurring the lines between work and home life.
Friday’s report did not provide estimates of deaths from contagious diseases contracted at work, but the WHO said that aspect might be included in future studies to capture the Covid impact.
“We need more epidemiological studies that clearly identify the increased risk for death from Covid as a result of working,” Frank Pega, the WHO’s technical lead on the report, told reporters.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, located in Lagos State, has postponed the supply date for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from June to mid-July.
Aliko Dangote, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the refinery, cited a slight delay but assured the public that the commodity would be available in the market by the second to third week of July.
Dangote made these remarks during a visit by a Senate delegation led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio to the $20 billion facility in Lagos on Sunday.
Akpabio praised the refinery, calling it the “9th wonder of the world,” and commended Aliko Dangote for the project.
The refinery, owned by the billionaire businessman, began operations last December with a capacity of 350,000 barrels a day. It has already started supplying diesel and aviation fuel to marketers in the country.
Oil marketers are hopeful that the petrol prices from the Dangote Refinery will be significantly lower than the current retail prices of imported refined products, which range from N568 to N700 depending on the region.
The Federal Government has announced Wednesday, June 12, 2024, as a public holiday to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, conveyed the declaration on Tuesday, extending congratulations to Nigerians on the occasion.
He emphasised the significance of reflecting on the contributions of the nation’s founding fathers, urging unity and commitment to Nigeria’s prosperity.
“As we mark another Democracy Day in the history of our dear country, let us all reflect on the efforts of our founding fathers and ensure that Nigeria remains a united, secured, peaceful, and indivisible entity,” Tunji-Ojo stated, underscoring the importance of democratic principles.
Also, Tunji-Ojo reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to implementing positive reforms aimed at revitalising the economy and bolstering security measures.
Encouraging citizens and friends of Nigeria to acknowledge the progress achieved, the minister expressed optimism for Nigeria’s democratic future, extending warm wishes for a joyful Democracy Day celebration.
Since the advent of the Fourth Republic 25 years ago, Nigeria has traditionally observed Democracy Day on May 29, commemorating its return to civilian rule from military dictatorship.
However, in 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari shifted the date to June 12 in honour of Chief M.K.O Abiola, a symbol of democracy.
Member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo State in the House of Representatives, Engr. Aderemi Oseni has reiterated his commitment to fulfill all his campaign promises to his constituents.
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) made this assurance on Sunday while speaking at the PhD graduation thanksgiving service of Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Oluwaponmile Oderinde at Grace Baptists Church, Apete Ibadan.
According to a statement by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, the lawmaker, who led the congregation in prayer and sermon, used the occasion to appreciate the constituents for reposing their confidence in him as expressed through their votes during the last election.
His words: “By the grace of God Almighty, I will ensure I fulfill my electoral campaign promises to all communities. I have already fulfilled some, and those who are yet to see theirs should not worry because it’s a promise, and I will fulfill it.”
He congratulated Rev Dr. Oderinde, the minister in charge of Grace Baptist Church, Awotan, on his attainment and prayed for Grace to use the new level to win more souls to God’s kingdom.
In his brief sermon, Oseni, who is also a Regional Overseer at Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), counseled people to always reference God and be closer to Him to enjoy the full benefits of serving the Almighty.
“I am who I am by His grace, and I will continue to reference God as long as I live because I am a product of grace, and I believe with Him, everything is possible,” remarked the APC chieftain.
-
News4 days agoPastor Halts Tithes, Offerings to Aid Congregation During Economic Hardship
-
Education6 days ago
Oyo: Oseni Launches Scholarship Scheme for Ibarapa East/Ido Students {APPLY NOW}
-
News3 days ago
Oyo: I’ll fulfill all campaign promises – Oseni reassures
-
Opinion6 days ago
An Open Letter: Tinubu’s One Year Amidst Hardship
