Better data and knowledge for safer workplaces: closing the gap

In a world where innovation is reshaping industries and pushing human potential to new heights, and where people and institutions need to find solutions to multiple crises, there is a need to remember that millions of workers still face unsafe conditions every day.

Each year, nearly three million people lose their lives due to occupational accidents or work-related diseases. Most of these work-related fatalities – 2.6 million deaths – stem from work-related diseases. Workplace accidents account for an additional 330,000 casualties. The toll of deaths related to work is more than twice the number of fatalities caused by road accidents. 

These are not just numbers – they represent individuals, families, and communities profoundly affected by tragedies that are often preventable. They also represent significative economic losses for countries. According to joint World Health Organisation/International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates, risk factors at the workplace caused the loss of 90 million disability-adjusted life years in 2016.

Even more concerning is that these estimates may only scratch the surface. In many parts of the world, especially in low-income countries, the true scale of work-related injuries and illnesses is hidden by a lack of reliable data. This invisibility hinders progress, making it difficult for governments and organisations to take informed action. In fact, even high-income countries struggle with gaps in disaggregated data – particularly data reflecting occupational injuries disaggregated by migrant status, as called for by SDG indicator 8.8.1. Such data is only available in 10% of countries globally.

But where there is a challenge, there is also an opportunity.

Improving the evidence

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is not just a technical concern – it is a human right and a pillar of decent work. Good governance in OSH begins with knowledge. When we understand where, how, and why workers are being harmed, we gain the power to prevent it. Solid, up-to-date data enables governments, in consultation with employers and workers, to develop evidence-based policies, direct resources efficiently, and ensure that no one is left behind.

The ILO has long championed the cause of safer and healthier workplaces. Recognizing the urgent need for better OSH data, the ILO has made it a cornerstone of its programming. Across the globe – from Africa to Asia to Latin America – the ILO is working hand-in-hand with governments and social partners to build data systems that are accurate, inclusive, and effective. These efforts include the adoption of digital tools, targeted training, and the development of internationally aligned reporting practices.

The ILO’s Protocol of 2002 to the Occupational Safety and Health Convention (No. 155), along with the accompanying Code of Practice on Recording and Notification, provide a strong framework for countries to develop systems that truly reflect the realities on the ground. 

Data is not just a tool for analysis – it is a foundation for prevention. That’s why the ILO Global Strategy on Occupational Safety and Health explicitly recognizes the importance of data in building a global culture of prevention. 

A culture of prevention means more than reacting to accidents – it means anticipating risks, investing in safer systems, and embedding safety into every layer of the workplace. That starts with knowing what’s really happening on the ground.

The launch of the Lloyd’s Register Foundation Global Safety Evidence Centre represents a major step forward in the global effort to strengthen OSH data. By acting as a hub for research and data sharing the Centre will help fill critical knowledge gaps, especially in regions where data is scarce or fragmented. It offers a space for collaboration, innovation, and evidence-based decision-making on a global scale.

The ILO welcomes the establishment of this Centre and looks forward to close collaboration. Together, we can amplify the impact of our work and accelerate progress toward safer, healthier workplaces everywhere.

Because behind every data point is a human story. And every story deserves to end in safety and dignity.