4th International Strategy Conference on Safety and Health at Work - Documentation

4th International Strategy Conference on Safety and Health at Work 2016 highlights key factors for the future of prevention.

Leadership, participation, empowerment and trust are the key factors for successful prevention in the future. This was the conclusion made at the 4th International Strategy Conference on Safety and Health at Work 2016. The conference participants agreed that Vision Zero – a world without fatal accidents and occupational diseases – can only be implemented as a global strategy when there is personal commitment from everyone and a willingness from each individual to proactively get involved in safety and health. A particularly important criterion for this is ensuring that the fundamental principles of Vision Zero are embedded at management level.

“In order to make Vision Zero a reality, we need common leading indicators”, said Walter Eichendorf, Deputy Director of the DGUV. “Safety and health, not only at work but in private life as well, must become a fundamental value to all.” At the end of the conference, Eichendorf stated that these common headline indicators are to be presented by the International Social Security Association (ISSA) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) at the next world congress in 2017.

Culture of Prevention as a way of achieving Vision Zero

Eichendorf emphasised the importance of creating a culture of prevention as a way of globally implementing Vision Zero. To do this, the topic of safety and health should be a part of all areas of life and the human being should be at the centre of a holistic approach to prevention. The conference called for a shift from technical approaches to more person-centred prevention; consideration of the individual needs of employees at all ages; the encouragement of participation; and the use of digital technologies for occupational safety and health.

Under the motto of “Moving Ahead – Vision.Human.Work”, almost 230 participants from 36 countries came together at the 4th International Strategy Conference on Safety and Health at Work between 21 – 24 March 2016. The participants were able to network and exchange ideas and experiences related to current trends. The focus of the conference was on the issue of how work is changing and what this means for OSH.

Interactive concept brings theory and practice together

The concept of the conference was entirely new: international and national experts discussed 5 top issues from 4 different perspectives. This format not only gave the strategy conference a fresh new look. The 32 keynotes and 16 breakout sessions emphasised the interactive and process-oriented character of the conference. Food for thought was provided by a total of 53 speakers of national and international standing. By involving companies, researchers and OSH experts in the strategy conference it was possible to bring together theoretical and practical experiences, which resulted in many lively discussions.

The International Strategy Conference has taken place at the DGUV Academy in Dresden since 2009. It makes a significant contribution to the systematic development of prevention strategies both nationally and internationally. In 2013, the conference was an important milestone on the path to the XX World Congress on Safety and Health at Work 2014 in Frankfurt. The 4th International Strategy Conference has built a bridge to the XXI World Congress 2017 in Singapore.