NSSA exists partly to promote occupational safety and health to all members through responsive schemes and services. Given this alarming LTIFR rate, one wonders if NSSA is doing enough to promote health and safety. If its occupational safety and health theme for 2013 is anything to go by, it may imply that the authority is also alarmed by this high LTIFR. The theme is: Promoting a preventive culture for occupational accidents and diseases. NSSA’s Compliance Inspectorate will be carrying out door to door business inspections for all employers from 1 February to 31 March to verify business compliance with its requirements.
In 2011 NSSA reported more than 4,300 deaths of employees due to workplace accidents. One wonders if companies’ safety and health departments are playing their roles to avoid accidents and diseases.
Many companies hold the view that maintaining safety and health systems is an unnecessary cost and because of this many employers often avoid them. However, if employers are to increase output and efficiency there is need to increase awareness of employees in maintaining good health and being protected from hazards at the workplace. Just like machines are serviced and maintained for better performance, human resources should also be maintained, as they are the most valuable assets.
It is important for companies to put in place safety and health safety systems with a view to reduce accidents and diseases at workplaces. Workplace wellness programmes need to be put in place to manage issues that causes injuries, such as stress, bad nutrition and ignorance. Other important safety issues like wearing protective clothing, faults making equipment unsafe to use, electric damages on plugs and cables, leaks and noises should also be addressed. Surfaces which are uneven or slippery may cause accidents, net mentioning obstructions like doors and corridors.
Zimbabwe has ratified several international protocols on occupational health and safety. These include the Prevention of Major Industrial Convention of 1993 and the Occupational Safety and Health Convention of 1981.
Post published in: Business