As the world of work continues to change, one thing remains clear: for too many people across the globe, earning a living comes with a significant risk to health and safety. The latest findings from the Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll, detailed in the recent report ‘Engineering Safer Workplaces: Global Trends in Occupational Safety and Health’, paint a worrying picture of workplace risks and the need for widespread improvement.
The World Risk Poll is a comprehensive examination of workplace safety data gathered from 147,000 people across 142 countries. Although workplace harm rates have slightly improved over the years—from 19% down to 18%—the numbers indicate that many sectors and groups remain vulnerable to serious hazards.
Dangerous Sectors and Uneven Risks
Certain sectors present much greater risks than others, with fishing topping the list as the most hazardous occupation, closely followed by construction and mining. Meanwhile, workers in lower-income countries face disproportionate challenges, with harm rates significantly higher in these regions: 19% in lower-middle-income countries and an alarming 22% in low-income countries. This disparity highlights the need for targeted interventions and resources to reduce risks for vulnerable groups.
Nancy Hey, director of evidence and insight at Lloyd’s Register Foundation, aptly sums up the issue, stating, “Work and income is an important part of all our lives and for too many that can come with a very high personal cost.” This “personal cost” is compounded by the shocking lack of occupational safety and health (OSH) training—nearly two-thirds of the global workforce (62%) report they have never received any training related to workplace risks. Without this knowledge, workers are left unprepared and under-equipped to handle the dangers they may face on the job.
The Impact of Employment Type on Workplace Safety
The report highlights that not all employees experience risk equally. Workers in part-time or unstable employment are particularly at risk, with 20% reporting harm compared to 15% of their full-time counterparts. Disturbingly, part-time workers also receive far less safety training: only 23% have been trained in the past two years, compared to 41% of full-time employees. This imbalance suggests that those who need guidance the most are often the ones who receive it the least.
Low Reporting Rates Conceal True Extent of Workplace Harm
While harm at work remains prevalent, it often goes unreported. Only 51% of workers who suffered harm actually reported it, indicating a significant gap in workplace safety transparency. However, the report identifies a vital link between OSH training and the likelihood of reporting incidents. Workers who have had safety training within the past two years are 3.3 times more likely to report harm than those who have never received training. This suggests that not only does training provide critical knowledge, but it also encourages a culture of accountability and openness around workplace safety.
Martin Cottam, chair of ISO’s technical committee on Occupational Health and Safety Management, expressed his concern about the findings: “The World Risk Poll results make sobering reading for all those working to encourage better occupational health and safety performance.” Despite the vast array of resources and methods available to improve safety, it is alarming to see that a majority of workers remain untrained.
Moving Forward: Making Workplace Safety a Priority
Addressing workplace safety requires a global commitment to regular, inclusive training and accessible reporting systems. For true progress, employers and policymakers must ensure that all workers, especially those in high-risk sectors and less stable jobs, receive ongoing safety education and have clear channels to report incidents. As Lloyd’s Register Foundation’s Nancy Hey emphasises, safety interventions must be both “regular and tailored” to effectively protect all employees. With a unified focus on these efforts, we can work towards a future where everyone has the right to a safe, healthy working environment.
