The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health received an international award for promoting Vision Zero

Finnish Institute of Occupational Health media release 28 November 2023 

ISSA awarded its Vision Zero Award at the global congress it organizes in collaboration with the International Labour Organization ILO in Sydney, Australia. The award was published early in the morning Finnish time and it was received by Tommi Alanko, Director of the Occupational Safety Unit at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.  

“The award is recognition for how we Finns understand that Vision Zero is a comprehensive approach to the continuous development of occupational safety,” Alanko reflects. 

In Finland, Vision Zero is implemented as the “zero accidents” way of thinking. Regardless of the name, what is most important is the way of thinking, not a target number. 

“Discussion in Finnish society should highlight occupational safety more and we should do everything in our power to actively improve occupational safety in work life. It is important to understand that a safe workplace is a productive workplace,” Alanko emphasizes. 

The Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen is happy and proud of the recognition the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health has received. 

“Safe and healthy working life is everyone's right. Work to prevent accidents, workplace bullying, sick leave, and work exhaustion must absolutely continue. This is one means of achieving a high employment rate,” says Grahn-Laasonen. 

The Vision Zero Forum inspires even abroad 

The Vision Zero Forum, coordinated by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and celebrating its 20th anniversary, was one of the grounds for the award. The forum is a network of workplaces that motivates and encourages workplaces to strive towards a high level of occupational safety and well-being at work.  

There are over 530 member companies and the network reaches nearly one out of every five Finnish employees. Members of the forum have fewer accidents than other workplaces, demonstrating its benefits. 

“The Vision Zero Forum is a constant source of inspiration and interest in international contexts. Following the Finnish example, similar activities are being started in other places although the networks are still small in most other countries,” says Alanko. 

“There is a culture of trust in Finnish work life. Companies are ready to co-operate and share information. The strength of Nollis, as we call the forum, is that occupational safety is not a trade secret. 

The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health is an internationally active developer 

The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health has left its mark on the Vision Zero approach internationally. The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health was one of the organizers of the first Vision Zero Summit in 2019 and is currently heading the Vision Zero working group of the Global Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health, co-ordinated by the ILO. 

The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health has also commissioned translations of several of ISSA’s Vision Zero guides and distributed them to workplaces. 

“It pays off to increase Vision Zero thinking in all types of workplaces. Occupational safety affects the employer image, which in turn has an impact on the availability and retention of labour. Similarly, sharing occupational safety competence with one’s stakeholders strengthens the security of supply,” Alanko reminds. 

Read more about Vision Zero 

Vision Zero of safety – co-operation and shared learning (in Finnish) | Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (ttl.fi)

Vision Zero Forum – Networks empowering development | Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (ttl.fi)

Watch a recording of the international Vision Zero webinar, organized by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health

 Vision Zero at Work: Towards a More Sustainable and Resilient Future (Webinar 11th October 2023) - YouTube

For more information, please contact 

• Director Tommi Alanko, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, tel. +358 (0)40 719 2521, tommi.alanko@ttl.fi