International labour standards are legal instruments drawn up by
the ILO's constituents (governments, employers and workers) and
setting out basic principles and rights at work. They are either
conventions, which are legally binding international treaties
that may be ratified by member states, or recommendations, which
serve as non-binding guidelines. ILO standards on occupational
safety and health provide essential tools for governments,
employers, and workers to establish sound prevention, reporting
and inspection practices and to provide for maximum safety at
work. The ILO has adopted more than 40 standards specifically
dealing with occupational safety and health. Nearly half of ILO
instruments deal directly or indirectly with occupational safety
and health issues. Codes of Practice set out practical
guidelines for public authorities, employers, workers,
enterprises, and specialized occupational safety and health
protection bodies (such as enterprise safety committees). They
are not legally binding instrum