Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
GOVERNMENT says it is pushing for the enactment of a new Occupational Safety and Health law expected to holistically address issues of safety at workplaces.
The Engineers’ Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Workshop is currently underway in Masvingo, with the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Honourable Edgar Moyo having highlighted government’s concerns over occupational injuries and deaths.
“The injury statistics over the past three-year period show a declining trend but, certainly remain highly elevated because of the loss of lives which is a major concern to the government. In this regard, the government will do everything possible to push for a new OSH law (The OSH Act) that should help us all as a nation to arrest this needless loss of lives at work as well as stop the horrendous experiences suffered by injured workers and their Families,” Honourable Moyo said.
Engineers were also challenged to lead innovation and adopt technologies that revolutionise their approach to Occupational Health and Safety.
“We are aware of the importance of OSH in fostering sustainable development. As a Province, we face unique challenges related to the safety of workers, particularly in industries such as mining, agriculture, and manufacturing. It is in this regard that the work you do as engineers and OSH professionals is invaluable,” Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honorable Ezra Chadzamira said.
“Your expertise and commitment to safeguarding the health and safety of workers are central to creating a productive and secure working environment for all. The theme, “Occupational Safety and Health: Technology and the Future of Work,” is relevant in today’s ever-evolving industrial landscape. As technology continues to shape the future of work, it is crucial that we embrace these advancements to create safer and more efficient workplaces.”
The National Social Security Authority (NSSA) revealed that injury figures have been dropping for the past years and as an institution, they expect the OSH bill to harmonise all the OSH related laws.
“The number one deliverable of the OSH bill is to harmonise all the small segments of legislations which currently exist in different sectors in our industry so that we have a single thrust which we can use and lay upon to leverage and make sure that we can supervise all the systems in terms of Occupational Safety and Health,” NSSA Board Chairman, Dr Emmanuel Fundira said.
“It is also going to bring all sectors of the industry under the purview of NSSA in terms of inspection including mining which was outside the purview of NSSA and because of that there have been a lot of accidents happening in that sector.”
“Our statistics in terms of workplace diseases and accidents remain high though on a declining trajectory. In Zimbabwe, about 5 000 or so people per year get injured at workplaces. We have an average of about 100 workers who die every year in the formal sector excluding the mining sector. In formal mines we have an average of 200 people dying every year because of workplace related accidents,” NSSA Acting General Manager, Dr Charles Shava said.
The workshop is running under the theme, “Occupational Safety and Health: Technology and the future of Work.”
