Introduction to National OSH Policies, Systems & Programmes

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS ILO AND OSH - THE FIRST 90 YEARS Piecemeal approach; detailed and numerous standards on specific hazards and occupations, focussed on protection Piecemeal approach; detailed and numerous standards on specific hazards and occupations, focussed on protection Gradual paradigm shift towards a dynamic and systemic approach, focussed on prevention Gradual paradigm shift towards a dynamic and systemic approach, focussed on prevention The Occupational Safety and Health Convention No 155 (1981) The Occupational Safety and Health Convention No 155 (1981)

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) - ILO Convention 155: an overview  From outset, applies to all workplaces and all employees (though with flexibility);  Emphasizes continuous improvement;  Outlines responsibilities, duties and rights of stakeholders;  Deals with issues such as policy and consultations with social partners, legislation, advice & enforcement, designers & manufacturers, training, employers’ responsibilities, workers’ duties and rights, bilateral cooperation;  Highlights universal principles on OSH (e.g. continuous improvement, prevention, “so far as is reasonably practicable”, cooperation, hierarchy of protection, right to remove in case of imminent danger and to be protected, but with duty to inform);  Protocol concerning accidents and diseases – emphasizes importance of data;

Global Strategy on OSH (2003 (Int’l Labour Conference Conclusions) Need for: Increased general awareness of the importance of OSH High level of political commitment for effective implementation of national OSH systems. Fundamental pillars include: Building and maintenance of a national preventative safety and health culture Introduction of a systems approach to OSH management.

Global Strategy on OSH (2003 Int’l Labour Conference Conclusions) Promotion, Awareness, Advocacy ILO Instruments (Standards, Codes) Technical Assistance and Cooperation Knowledge development/management International Collaboration

Global Strategy on OSH The Global Strategy on OSH forms the basis for the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187), and Recommendation (No. 197) adopted in 2006 Key: the need for an increased general awareness (April 28) of the importance of OSH and to place OSH high on political commitment and the national Agenda Promote the effective implementation of National OSH System Reduce fragmentation and promote coherency for effective impact Engagement of all social partners in initiating and sustaining mechanisms for a continued improvement of national OSH systems.

International Labour Conference Agenda item in June 2005 and 2006 Reports sent to all member States, Workers and Employers

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS (i) Protection in given branches of economic activity: e.g. construction industry, mines, commerce and offices and dock work Protection against specific risks: e.g. ionising radiation, benzene, asbestos, guarding of machinery Measures of protection: e.g. medical examinations of young workers, maximum weight of loads to be transported by a single worker, prevention of occupational accidents on board ship, prevention of occupational cancer, prevention of air pollution, noise and vibration in the working environment Guiding policies for action More than 70 ILO standards on OSH:

ILO OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS (ii) The Occupational Safety and Health Convention 1981 (No 155) The Occupational Health Services Convention 1985 (No 161) The Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention 2006 (No 187)

Concepts - OSH at the national level National OSH policy: It is a specific document prepared by the government in consultation with the social partners containing statements on its commitment to act for the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases. Normally it includes the main principles guiding national action on OSH and roles of the main stakeholders. National OSH system: It is the infrastructure (legal and institutional framework) operating at national level to perform the different OSH- related actions. National OSH Profile: It is a diagnostic which summarizes the existing OSH situation, including national data on occupational accidents and diseases, high-risk industries and occupations, and the description of national OSH system and its current capacity. National OSH Programme: It is a strategic time-bound programme (e.g. lasting for five years) of actions focused on specific national OSH priorities to strengthen the national system within the framework of the National OSH Policy.

NATIONAL OSH POLICY NATIONAL OSH PROFILE Inventory and analysis of situation and resources NATIONAL OSH SYSTEM Available infrastructure and resources NATIONAL OSH SITUATION E.g. occupational accidents and diseases Operative planning Formulation, implementation, evaluation of activities Strategic planning Goals and priorities NATIONAL OSH PROGRAMMES What we want/can do REVIEW Impacts & achievements CONCEPTS FOR GOVERNANCE National Tripartite Advisory Body ILO Conventions/Recommendations/Codes/Guides

A National OSH Policy (ILO Convention 187) Each Member shall promote a safe and healthy working environment by formulating a national policy, cf. ILO Convention 155 Article 4.  …in the light of national conditions and practice, and in consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers, formulate, implement and periodically review a coherent national policy … environment.  The aim of policy … prevent accidents and injury to health arising out of, linked with or occurring in the course of work, by minimising, so far as is reasonably practicable, the causes of hazards inherent in the working environment.

National OSH Policy (C155, C187) Aim and purposes of the policy. Principles guiding the national action on OSH (especially, prevention). Fields of action (physical working conditions working organisation and workers’ attributes relevant to work performance) & workers covered. Including the different types of action (regulation, inspection, promotion and support, etc.), which must be implemented. Define clearly the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved in the implementation of the policy Planned, organised, implemented and monitored in consultation with social partners. Planned and periodically reviewed from the perspective of OSH situation and its evolution.

South Africa: Policy and Commitment

National OSH Profile Prepared at the country level through a process involving all the national authorities and social partners concerned with OSH, Include basic data influencing OSH, at both the national and enterprise levels, including available legislative framework, enforcement and implementation mechanisms and infrastructures, workforce distribution, resources devoted to OSH, OSH initiatives and level of protection; Practical information on ongoing activities at the country level. Identify gaps and needs for further development of existing legal, institutional, administrative and technical infrastructure related to the sound management of OSH. Means to improve coordination among all OSH stakeholders. The basis for further situation analysis

Possible elements of a national OSH profile 1. OSH legislative framework. 2. National policy review mechanisms. 3. Coordination and collaboration mechanisms (at the national and enterprise levels). 4. National competent bodies with OSH implementation responsibilities. 5. Mechanisms for ensuring compliance with OSH legislation, including systems of inspection. 6. OSH technical standards, guidelines and management systems. 7. OSH information and advisory services. 8. Educational, training and awareness-raising structures. 9. OSH services. 10. Workmen’s compensation schemes or insurance schemes (occupational accidents and diseases). 11. OSH research institutes and OSH laboratories. 12. Specialized technical, medical and scientific institutions with linkages to various aspects of OSH. 13. Overall national level of human resources active in the area of OSH, such as government OSH inspectors and officers, occupational physicians and industrial hygienists. 14. Occupational accident and disease statistics. 15. Policies and programmes of employers’ and workers’ organizations. 16. Regular and ongoing activities related to OSH, including international collaboration. 17. General data: demographic data, literacy levels, types of sectors of economic activity and percentage of workforce employed, economic data. 18. Other relevant information.

28/06/ National Profile, selected indicators Ratification of ILO OSH-standards (100-0%) Labour inspectors, number (0-10/100,000) Coverage of Labour Inspection (0-100%) Coverage of Workers´ Compensation (0-100 %) Coverage of occupational health services (0-100%) National Policy, Strategy, Programme Action Plan, targets, deadlines (0-10) National Profile made (0-10) Asbestos restricted/banned, (0-10 eg. Based on consumption 5-0 kg/capita) National System on Chemical Safety, based on Conv. 170, GHS, CSDS, ICSC’s (0-10) Management systems, implementation of ILO-OSH 2001 (0-10) Recording and notification system on acc/dis. (0-10) Knowledge management and information centre, ILO/CIS (0-10) Fatal accidents index (based on fatality 100-0/100,000) Occupational accident index (based on acc. rate (100-0/1000) List of Occupational Diseases and compensation criteria (0-10) Awareness campaigns, such as April 28 (0-10) 100 % % 100 earlier year later year benchmark country

NATIONAL OSH POLICY NATIONAL OSH PROFILE Inventory and analysis of situation and resources NATIONAL OSH SYSTEM Available infrastructure and resources NATIONAL OSH SITUATION E.g. occupational accidents and diseases Operative planning Formulation, implementation, evaluation of activities Strategic planning Goals and priorities NATIONAL OSH PROGRAMMES What we want/can do REVIEW Impacts & achievements CONCEPTS National Tripartite Advisory Body ILO Conventions/Recommendations/Codes/Guides

A National OSH Programme (ILO Convention 187)  …formulate, implement, monitor, evaluate and periodically review a national programme on OSH in consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers  promote the development of a national preventative safety and health culture;  contribute to the protection of workers by eliminating or minimizing, so far as is reasonably practicable, work-related hazards and risks … ;  be formulated and reviewed on the basis of analysis of the national situation … ;  include objectives, targets and indicators of progress;  be supported, where possible, by other complementary national programmes and plans…;

Why a National OSH Programme - For increasing concrete commitment and visibility. - For efficiency=focus on the priorities. - For re-thinking the efficiency and effectiveness of our ways of operate. - From focus on actions to focus on impact. - For measurement of progress and success.

Promoting a National Preventative Safety and Health Culture A national preventative safety and health culture is one in which:  The right to a safe and healthy working environment is respected at all levels,  Where governments, employers and workers actively participate in securing a safe and healthy working environment through a system of defined rights, responsibilities and duties, and  Where the highest priority is accorded to the principle of prevention (Global Strategy on Occupational Safety and Health, ILO, 2003)