Occupational safety and health literacy

Occupational safety and health literacy or OSH literacy is the degree to which individuals have the functional capacity to access, process and utilize the occupational safety and health (OSH) information and services needed to eliminate or reduce risk.

Overview
OSH is an acronym for occupational safety and health. It is sometimes also referred to as occupational health and safety (OHS), safety, health & environment (SHE), workplace safety and health (WSH), environment safety & health (EHS) as well as other terms.

OSH uses a unique system of different shapes, colors, symbols and specialized terminology to communicate information to prevent accidents. This communication system has been standardized by the International Standards Organization (ISO).

Examples
In addition to traditional workplaces, OSH literacy can be found in public places too. 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. Examples can also be observed at home on the packaging of everyday domestic goods, for instance: cleaning chemicals and beauty products, food and electrical appliances.

Effects of lack of OSH literacy and high-risk groups
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 of accidents and ill health.

Data analysis shows that poor communications and human factors are a root-causal factor in a significantly high number of all recorded OSH incidents globally.

The highest-risk group are those within their first twelve months of employment. Some estimates suggest that more than 50% of all recorded global OSH incidents occur within this demographic. Particularly vulnerable groups include young workers, older workers (aged over 45), migrant workers, persons with both visible and invisible disabilities, people with low or no (illiterate) levels of literacy, individuals who are speakers of English as a second language (English is the lingua-franca of OSH and the global workplace).

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.

In education
For many years international organizations involved with OSH education such as: ENETOSH, OSH-Africa, OSHA-EU, OSHA and IOSH have been advocating for OSH to be integrated into mainstreamed 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.

Research has shown that that 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. 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.

OSH literacy is linked to the United Nations’ Social Development Goals (UN SDGs) 2030, in particular SDGs 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 16 & 17.

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.

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.