ILO Code of practice

Safety and health in construction (Revised edition)

The revised ILO Code of practice on safety and health in construction was adopted by a Meeting of Experts held in Geneva from 21 to 25 February 2022. This code of practice replaces an earlier code that was adopted in 1992 and was considered outdated in view of the changes in working practices and conditions in the construction sector in the past decades. It takes into account new areas which require improved health and safety practices and other protective measures.

Code of practice | 16 November 2022
The construction sector is of strategic importance to many Member States of the ILO, in view of its job creation potential and linkages with other econom-ic sectors. At the same time, the sector experiences many and diverse occupational safety and health hazards and risks.

In February 2022, a meeting of experts adopted a revised ILO code of practice on safety and health in construction. Based on international labour standards and sectoral guidelines and tools, this revised code provides a comprehensive and practical advice on how governments, employers, workers and their representatives should work together to eliminate, reduce and control all major hazards and risks in view of the changes in working practices and conditions in the construction sector.

The code promotes the implementation of OSH management systems as well as cooperation between employers and workers and their representa-tives. It promotes a preventative safety and health culture in which the right to a safe and healthy working environment is respected throughout the construction project life cycle.