Minister says much needs to be done to reduce work accidents

With 71 deaths at work in the first eight months of this year and 3 598 serious injuries, a lot more needs to be done to reduce work accidents, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Nicholas Goche said on Thursday.

Officially opening the annual Safety and Health at Work (SHAW) conference at Rainbow Towers, he said death at work statistics were not just numbers but talked of individual workers who left home for work never to return. He called for a major shift in workplace safety and health culture.

He said that in 2011 there were 4 158 workers seriously injured at work, 75 of whom died. In 2012 there were 5 141 serious injuries, 107 of which were fatal. In 2013 there were 5 666 injuries recorded, 76 of which were fatal.

In the first eight months of this year, 3 598 serious injuries at work were recorded, with 71 deaths.

"These statistics are not just numbers. They talk about people like you and me who left home for work one day but never returned or found themselves on a hospital bed badly injured.

"We need to do much more together in order to prevent these accidents at work.

"A positive paradigm shift in the workplace safety and health culture is essential among social partners of government, business and labour if we are to win this war against accidents," he said.

Mr Goche acknowledged the importance of the SHAW conference, which he said sought to commit everyone to working towards a safe and healthy environment in Zimbabwe.

He challenged those attending the conference to explore further ways to prevent accidents at work.
"I challenge all of you delegates to take this three-day conference as a platform to deliberate, participate and explore further ways to prevent this carnage," he said.

The SHAW conference is held every year over three days, hosted by the National Social Security Authority. The theme this year was 'Building a Culture of Safety and Health in the Use of Chemicals at Work'.

The Minister said this year's theme was apt. Chemicals, while they entailed significant risks at work and for communities and the environment, were an integral component of many industrial processes and key ingredients of products that have become part of people's daily lives.

He said there were numerous cases of chemical poisoning in Zimbabwe and the rest of the world. In that respect, employers had been provided with a mechanism to obtain information about chemicals so they can implement effective programmes to protect employees.

He said work on a comprehensive Safety and Health Bill was at an advanced stage.

"My ministry is currently working on a much awaited conventional Safety and Health Bill, which is now at an advanced stage. The OSH Bill will improve safety and health standards in the manufacturing, handling, transportation, storage and use of chemicals in the workplace," he said.

He said a few weeks ago he had signed the Zimbabwe National Occupational Safety and Health Policy, which should go a long way in promoting safety and health at work, including where the use of chemicals was concerned.

He urged every employer to obtain a copy of this policy to further facilitate the protection of workers by identifying occupational hazards.

"OSH plays a major role for all the economic sectors to flourish. No country ever cherishes the killing or maiming of its workforce through uncontrolled occupational hazards and Zimbabwe is no exception.

"I have seen the conference programme. I am pleased to note that there will be presentations in the fields of chemicals. The conference will certainly open our eyes to see where we fall short, where we need to improve and where we need to tighten our grip as we work towards the creation of safe work places for all Zimbabweans," he said.

Welcoming delegates to this year's conference, National Social Security Authority (NSSA) general manager James Matiza said the aim of the conference was to share experiences.

He stressed the importance of developing a culture of safety precautions in the widespread use of chemicals.

"Chemicals have become useful in daily life. Workers are mostly at risk because they transport and handle chemicals. We should develop a culture of prevention of harm in the use of chemicals. OSH doesn't thrive on chance. It requires a well-planned system," he said.

Mr Matiza assured delegates of NSSA's support in promoting safe chemical use.

"NSSA will be with you to achieve total safety in the workplace," he said.