Govt. urges stakeholder involvement in implementation of occupational safety framework

Government says the successful implementation of the new occupational health and safety framework requires the active participation and cooperation of all stakeholders. Ministry of Labour and Social Security Permanent Secretary (PS), Zachariah Luhanga, says effective…

Government says the successful implementation of the new occupational health and safety framework requires the active participation and cooperation of all stakeholders.

Ministry of Labour and Social Security Permanent Secretary (PS), Zachariah Luhanga, says effective implementation of the framework will require adequate institutional capacity, effective coordination and sustained collaboration among stakeholders.

Mr Luhanga said the stakeholders include employers, workers, trade unions, industry associations, professional bodies, regulatory institutions and other cooperating partners.

The media reports that the PS said this in Lusaka today when he officiated at a stakeholder engagement meeting organized by the Occupational Health and Safety Institute (OHSI).

Mr Luhanga said his ministry will continue supporting the Institute

as it expands its physical presence across the country.

He said stakeholder engagement is important in ensuring that occupational health and safety regulations are practical, relevant and responsive to the realities of different sectors.

Mr Luhanga noted that occupational health and safety risks vary across sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, construction, energy, transport, banking, retail and mining.

He said the Ministry, through the Occupational Health and Safety Institute, has therefore placed emphasis on stakeholder participation in the development of proposed occupational health and safety regulations and sector-specific regulatory instruments.

Mr Luhanga has since challenged the stakeholders to continue participating actively and constructively in the development of sector-specific regulations and guidelines in ensuring that safety requirements respond appropriately to the risks, operational conditions and circumstances of different industries.

Mr Luhanga said a safe and healthy workforce is essential for increased productivity and sustainable economic development.

He said Government remains committed to building workplaces where every worker is protected and every employer understands and fulfils their responsibilities.

And Occupational Health and Safety Institute Director General (DG), Martha Chakulimba observed that while the mining sector has made significant progress in occupational safety, small-scale mining remains underserved in occupational health and safety matters.

Dr Chakulimba said Zambia, like other countries, continues to face significant occupational health and safety challenges.

She cited International Labour Organisation and World Health Organisation statistics indicating that about three million workers globally die every year from work-related causes.

Dr Chakulimba said the statistics translate to thousands of work-related deaths every day, underscoring the need for concerted action by governments, employers, workers and other stakeholders.

She stated that the mining sector faces various hazards, including physical risks from rock falls and other mining accidents, as well as emerging risks associated with the use of toxic substances.

Dr Chakulimba observed that while Zambia has made progress in occupational safety, more needs to be done to strengthen occupational health, particularly in the small-scale mining sector.