´Occupational health and safety, critical to productivity´

Mrs. Emma Ofori-Agyemang, Director of Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations has urged management of organizations to enforce rules on occupational health and safety policy to enhance productivity.

Mrs Ofori-Agyemang said government in 2015 paid three million cedis as compensation on reported cases of injury and accidents at the work place through the Labour Department to over 262 victims across the country.

She said injuries and accidents at work places has huge financial implication on government and private entities, so it is incumbent for organizations to be proactive and adhere to the occupational health and safety policy for sustainable and conducive working environment.

Mrs Ofori-Agyemang was speaking during a panel discussion in Accra on Ghana Journalist Association programme dubbed: “Business Advocate” on Ghana Television which is supported by BUSAC Fund, DANIDA, United States Agency for International Development and the European Union.

Touching on the topic: “Assessment of the National Occupational Safety and Health Policy”, she said occupational health and safety policy aims at promoting safe and healthy working environment through the prevention of accidents, injuries, ill-health and fatalities at the workplace.

She said there exists some fragmented safety and health laws used by various ministries, departments and agencies such as the Factories, Offices and Shops Act 1970(328) and the Mining Regulations 1970 LI 665.

Mrs Ofori-Agyemang said a National Occupational Safety and Health Policy bill has been placed before parliament for approval.

The overall objective is to create a comprehensive national framework for effective coordination and harmonization of occupational safety and health issues in the country to enhance the well-being of workers.

The policy sought to protect the livelihood of victims of occupational accidents, injuries and fatalities and their dependents and would include the informal sector since the sector contributes about 80 per cent of the works force of the country.

The new policy would strengthen occupational safety and health related research and the adoption of modern and cost-effective technology; in addition to policy implementation, monitoring and evaluation structures for effectiveness and efficiency.

Nana Owusu Boatey, Desk Officer, Occupational Health and Safety Environment, Trade Union Congress, (TUC) said there is the need to educate people on occupational safety and health, and their responsibilities to avert accidents.

Mr Boatey said the country became a member of the International Labour Organization after independence and yet there was no strong institutional framework to champion the cause of safety at the workplace.

He said the TUC conducted a survey to all the regions in the country to find out whether workers are properly protected at the workplace and the findings revealed that workers were not keen on their health and safety.

Mr Boatey said most workers are more interested in getting the job and how much to be paid to the neglect of their health and safety.

Mr Charles Asante-Bempong, Director of Research and Project, Ghana Employer’s Association commended BUSAC for supporting the initiatives of the association in ensuring that employees work safely.

Mr. Fred Ohene-Mensah, a Chief Factory Inspector in Accra said it behooves on all and sundry to support the call on national occupational health and safety for workers protection.

He said there is the need to advice workers and employers to put in place internal measures to ensure the safety of workers since a strong human resource is the foundation of every organization.