KARACHI: Health centre of high standard established: International Safety Day
KARACHI, April 27: The government has established a professional Safety and Health Centre of international standard in Karachi under the ILO and in cooperation with the UNDP. It will initially be called the “Industrial Hygienic Health and Safety Cell”.
The cell, having the staff comprising professional experts to impart training to employers and workers, has been established at a cost of $1.1 million with the Sindh government’s contribution being Rs9 million.
This was stated by Sindh Minister for Labour and Industries Mohammed Adil Siddiqi on the occasion of International Health and Safety Day, being observed on April 28.
He called upon all the organisations associated with the Labour and Industries department to ensure effective implementation of all health and safety related laws, provision of fire-fighting equipment and displaying of civil defence principles highlighting ways to avoid possible industrial accidents.
He exhorted the concerned organisations to lay down the laws for the safety and health of their employees. All trade associations have been told to approach the labour department for training in health and safety under the Trainer's Training Programme.
The minister asked industrialists to keep scientific principles in view while disposing of industrial waste, install treatment plants and ensure use of masks during industrial process.
The Sindh Social Security, Mines Labour Welfare Organisation and other such institutions have also been asked to follow these directives.
Mr Siddiqi directed the Sessi commissioner to take appropriate measures for the safety of workers, patients and other staff by maintaining proper sanitary conditions in hospitals and medical centres.
He called for a strict check on smoking, use of disposed of blood transfusion and dentistry equipment and use of discarded syringes to avoid infections and other health hazards being transmitted to users.
Meanwhile, a report released on Friday by the International Labour Organisation on the occasion of the International Health and Safety-2007 shows that while 2.2 million people die every year due to work-related accidents or illnesses, more than 270 million workers are injured and an estimated 160 million suffer work-related illnesses around the world.
The report says this grim toll also costs the global economy an estimated four per cent in lost GDP, equivalent to 20 times all official development aid put together.
The ILO report highlights the links between decent work and occupational safety and health. Various elements of the ILO's Decent Work Agenda including respect for fundamental principles and rights at work, its international labour standards, occupational safety and health mechanisms, labour inspection, codes of practice on occupational safety and health and the workplace, and social dialogue provide the basis for a strong workplace response to the prevention of occupational accidents and disease.
Countries around the world are to mark the World Day for Safety and Health at Work this year on April 28 on a new call by the ILO for applying internationally-agreed labour standards as a primary tool for reducing work-related accidents and illnesses that take some 2.2 million lives each year.
Countries in all regions of the ILO plan safety day events ranging from the launch of public awareness campaigns to solemn commemorations. Many have declared April 28 as a day to discuss safety and health at work, while others have brought together workers, employers, government officials and academics to discuss workplace safety.—APP/PPI
