Every April 28, the world pauses (if only for a moment) to talk about something that should be non-negotiable every day of the year: workers’ right to return home safe and healthy.
World Day for Safety and Health at Work, promoted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 2003, is not just a commemorative event. It is a global wake-up call about the scale of a problem that many companies, unfortunately, continue to underestimate.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
According to ILO data, more than 374 million workers worldwide suffer non-fatal occupational accidents each year. And the highest cost is not economic: nearly 3 million people lose their lives annually due to work-related accidents and diseases. That equals more than 8,000 deaths every single day.
In Mexico, the situation is also concerning. By the end of the third quarter of 2024, the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) reported 327,230 occupational risks, of which 225,056 were workplace accidents. During that same period, 796 workers lost their lives—a 10% increase compared to the previous year.
Behind every statistic, there is a person. A family. A story that could have been prevented.
What Is the ILO Commemorating This Year?
For 2025, the ILO selected the theme:
“Revolutionizing health and safety: the role of AI and digitalization at work.”
The message is clear: workplace safety is evolving. New technologies from artificial intelligence to real-time monitoring systems are transforming how companies identify risks and protect their workforce.
However, technology is a complement, not a replacement.
As long as workers are exposed to physical risks, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) remains the first and most tangible line of defense. That is precisely what we focus on at LICA: PPE designed for the real conditions of the Mexican work environment. Because no algorithm can replace a properly selected glove, a certified helmet, or safety footwear that protects where it matters most.
What the Law Requires: A Renewed Standard
In Mexico, PPE use is not optional.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS) published NOM-017-STPS-2024 in March 2025, which came into force in September of the same year, replacing the 2008 version that had been in effect for 16 years.
This new standard not only updates technical requirements, it represents a shift in philosophy: from a reactive approach to a truly preventive one.
At LICA, we have embraced this approach from the beginning. Our entire product catalog is developed based on real industry risks and complies with required certifications, ensuring that both companies and distributors can trust the protection they provide to workers.
Key Employer Obligations Include:
- Identifying and analyzing specific risks for each job position
- Selecting and providing the appropriate PPE for each risk at no cost to the worker
- Training personnel on proper use, maintenance, and service life of the equipment
- Supervising consistent PPE use in risk areas
- Keeping records of inspection, replacement, and final disposal
Failure to comply can result in fines of up to 5,000 UMAs (over $500,000 MXN in 2025), partial or total shutdowns, and even criminal liability in the event of an accident.
Safety Is Not an Expense. It’s an Investment
One of the most costly misconceptions in industry is treating safety as an expense category.
Workplace accidents directly impact the occupational risk insurance premium before IMSS: the higher the accident rate, the higher the cost per employee. Add to that the cost of medical leave, productivity loss, legal processes, and reputational damage.
Prevention will always be more cost-effective than correction.
Building a real safety culture goes beyond regulatory compliance. It means leadership sets the example, workers understand the “why” behind the equipment they use, and companies commit to providing high-quality, certified, and risk-appropriate tools.
The Right PPE Makes the Difference
Not all protective equipment is the same—and choosing the right one requires understanding the specific risks each worker faces.
At LICA, we have over 40 years of experience manufacturing and distributing personal protective equipment for Mexican industry. Our catalog covers protection from head to toe: safety footwear, helmets, gloves, harnesses, eyewear, respiratory protection, industrial uniforms, signage, and more.
All our products meet the required certifications, because we understand that PPE without regulatory backing is not protection—it is just appearance.
This April 28, the invitation is to go beyond the date:
review your processes, update your equipment, train your team, and embrace safety for what it has always been—a shared responsibility and a reflection of how much a company values the people who make it possible.
Has your company updated its PPE program in line with NOM-017-STPS-2024? Contact us, we’ll be happy to advise you.
Sources
International Labour Organization (ILO) — World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2025
ILO — Report on Occupational Accidents and Diseases, 2023
IMSS — Occupational Risk Statistics, Third Quarter 2024
La Jornada de Oriente — Labor Mortality Statistics by State, 2024
Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS) — NOM-017-STPS-2024, published March 28, 2025