By Andries Smit On 28 April 2003, the world through the ILO (International Labour Organization) began to observe World Day for Safety and Health at work, stressing the prevention of illness and accidents at work and capitalizing on its traditional strengths of tripartism and social dialogue. 28 April is also a day the world’s trade union movement has long associated with commemorating victims of occupational accidents and disease. The International Labour Organization was founded to promote everyone’s right to earn a living in freedom, dignity and security: the right to decent work. The belief that injury and disease “go with the job” is not acceptable. The challenge is to extend the benefits of this experience to the whole working world. In June 2006, the ILO adopted, upon tripartite consensus, the recommendation concerning the Promotional Framework of Occupational Health & Safety. Equally, the ILO took major steps towards banning the use of asbestos as a major hazard at the workplace. The implementation of Occupational Health & Safety principles within the workplace needs to be addressed in a logical and practical way in order for Namibia to contribute its part as far as the health and safety of employers and employees go. “Occupational Health & Safety implementation” …. When employers hear these words, they either smile reassuringly knowing that they are on top of the subject matter or they shy away from it because it involves expenses they are obliged to allocate as employers in terms of our labour legislation. Firstly, a person has to understand what a seemingly fearsome concept can mean to them and their respective businesses before they will take the time to know the subject and to implement the principles. In most cases, companies do not consider Occupational Health & Safety at the workplace a priority and fail to implement it. Employers usually realize that their management strategy is incomplete the day when things go wrong and no preparations were made to address the difficult and dangerous situations. These unfortunate events usually end up in finger pointing and shifting of blame. All of this can be prevented if the necessary planning in this regard occurred. If the subject is investigated it will be found that it is actually a very straight forward approach that will not change the culture of any company but rather underline the strengths of any organization and assisting it in reaching its full potential. Following the principles effectively will ensure healthy communication channels to be developed and to be maintained. This will result in solving misunderstandings, unsafe conditions and matters that causes unhappiness at an early stage. Furthermore, all persons will know exactly what their role within the workplace is and what the emergency circumstances expect from him or her. Employees will receive focused training as well as Personal Protective Equipment needed to safeguard them and their fellow workers, which on its part will allow production to continue undisturbed at a high pace. The question which first arises is usually where do I start with Occupational Health & Safety? In order to answer this question, one should know what are the fundamentals of an Occupational Health and Safety System within an organization. The backbone of Health & Safety in any workplace relies on three cornerstones, namely: A Health & Safety policy Identification and Assessment of Risks A Health & Safety Programme These three guiding principles should not allow you to break out in cold sweat or cause you any sleepless nights. In Short: a Health & Safety Policy: The Health and Safety policy should specify the aims and objectives of the policy. The main question to ask is what do we want to achieve as far as Health & Safety is concerned? It must further explain the general approach, means and measures to be adopted in order to achieve the objectives of the policy. There is no right or wrong policy as long as all issues were addressed. It is necessary to involve your health and safety committee in developing a Health & Safety policy so that they may take ownership of the process. This will ensure commitment from the employees that will contribute towards successful implementation of sound Health & Safety principles. Next Step: Identification and Assessment of Risks: It is also the duty of the Employer to investigate and identify the hazards attached to any work that is performed or may be performed by any of his or her employees, including the risks or potential risks to the health and safety of employees associated with such work, or to the health and safety of any other person who may be affected by such work. It is furthermore the duty of the employer to assess the hazards and risks that were identified. This process should be repeated preferably once every second year in order to cater for changes in circumstances within the workplace i.e. new appointments, change in activities, change in machinery, change in environment etc. And Finally: a Health & Safety Programme The mentioned programme shall in detail specify the Health & Safety arrangements for the prevention of Health & Safety risks. It should further clearly stipulate the responsibilities of persons occupying positions concerning the Health & Safety Programme The programme should be aimed at improving the working conditions at the workplace. The programme should describe the procedures and methods to be adopted to implement the Health & Safety Programme and Policy. All the risks and needs such as training needs and how to address them will differ from workplace to workplace. All of them will become clear when the ” Identification and Assessment of Risks” exercise is completed. Employers and employees are welcome to contact the Division: Occupational Health & Safety for advice regarding this process or can make use of “Approved Inspection Authorities” accredited with the Division in order to perform these services. We firmly believe that such a system will allow for more interaction between employers and employees that will result in an improvement in relations, Health & Safety and ultimately PRODUCTIVITY! Our Ministry hopes that all stakeholders will join hands on this very important day in order to reduce risks to all employees and employers alike and to make this year a year free of accidents and unnecessary risks. * Andries Smit is a Deputy Director: Occupational Health & Safety at the Directorate: Labour Services, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare