Protecting Workplace Safety and Health in Difficult Economic Times – The Effect of the Financial Crisis and Economic Recession on Occupational Safety and Health

The International Labour Office is concerned that the financial and economic crisis has led to the restructuring of businesses and this could be compromising safety and health measures in the workplace. This report therefore focuses on the implications of the financial and economic crisis on occupational safety and health.

It considers the evidence that occupational safety and health may have suffered, and it provides examples of current good practice. It offers the conclusion that, whilst there are certainly threats to workers’ safety and health, as a result of restructuring and downsizing by businesses, there are also opportunities in the current situation for improving corporate occupational safety and health practice. The report ends with a series of short recommendations.