IOSH urges stronger OSH focus in UN sustainable development drive

In the statement, IOSH warns that growing evidence suggests the world is not on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. This, it says, underlines the need for stronger cooperation and greater recognition of OSH as a driver of sustainable development.

IOSH argues that good workplace safety and health practices contribute directly and indirectly to at least 51 SDG targets, although the organisation believes the true figure may be even higher. IOSH went on to outline how occupational safety and health (OSH) contributes to several goals under review at HLPF 2026.

The statement added that preventing work-related injury, ill health, including psychosocial harm, and fatalities creates conditions in which people can thrive, supporting productivity, organisational performance and long-term economic growth. And it highlighted IOSH’s ‘10 principles of good OSH’, which promote safe and healthy working environments as a fundamental principle and right at work.

IOSH called on governments and international institutions to place workplace safety at the centre of sustainable development and urged countries to ratify key International Labour Organization conventions, particularly Convention 155 on Occupational Safety and Health and Convention 187 on the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health.

IOSH said achieving the SDGs by 2030 will not be possible without safe, healthy and decent work, and pledged to continue working with governments, UN agencies and partners to turn that ambition into action.

You can read IOSH’s statement in full on page 66 of the HLPF’s statement document (PDF 1.17MB).