THE International Labour Organisation (ILO) has called on the government, employers and employees to collaborate in the development and implementation of national policies and strategies aimed at the sound management of chemicals at work. OWN CORRESPONDENT
Some of those policies include safety and health in agriculture, promotional framework for occupational safety and health (OSH)among other conventions.
In a speech read on his behalf by an ILO representative at the 2014 World Day for Safety and Health at Work in Bulawayo, the director of ILO country office for Zimbabwe, Alphonse Tabi-abodo, said they were alarmed by increasing cases of fatalities caused by mismanagement of chemicals at work places.
He said ILO estimates that 2,34 million people die each year from work-related accidents and diseases.
“These (policies and strategies) must comprehensively and simultaneously address the health, safety and environmental aspects related to the production and use of chemicals,” Tabi-abodo said.
“The idea is to maintain the benefits achieved through the production and use of chemicals while minimising workers’ exposure as well as the emission of chemicals into the environment through national and international action.
“Seven of the main occupational diseases are caused by chemical agents. The prevention of occupational diseases caused by chemical exposures will save lives, improve the equality of life for other workers, and reduce the significant costs of chemical exposures,” he added.
“In addition to causing immeasurable human suffering to victims and their families, such diseases cause major economic losses for enterprises and societies, including reduced productivity and work capacity.
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Around 4% of the world gross domestic product, equivalent to about $2,8 trillion, is lost due to work-related accidents and diseases in direct and indirect costs, he said.
“We call upon the all tripartite partners to approach OSH issues not with a mind-set fixated on the costs of provision, but the benefits derived from a safe and healthy environment,” he added.
The Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare ministry revealed that 34 people died at work and 1 507 were injured at work in the first three months of the year and that was worrisome.
The commemorations were held under the theme: “Building a culture of safety and health in the use of chemicals at work.”
