The government is committed to ensuring occupational safety and health at the workplace it has emerged.
Speaking at a meeting held under the theme, “reinforce occupational safety and health preventive culture through optimum gathering and utilization of data” in Harare on 4 October 2015, Priscilla Mupfumira, the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare said the Government has the vision and desire to make sure no one dies or gets injured at work.
“As Government, our vision and desire is that no one should die; no one should be injured or made ill whilst creating wealth at work. We are passionate about making this a reality,” Mupfumira said.
Recognising that occupational injuries, diseases and deaths have a negative effect on productivity and on economic and social development the International Labour Organisation declared that every worker has a right to safe and health working environment as enshrined in Convention 187.
Noting the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155), the Occupational Safety and Health Recommendation, 1981 (No. 164), and other instruments of the International Labour Organization relevant to the promotional framework for occupational safety and health, and
recalling that the promotion of occupational safety and health is part of the International Labour Organization’s agenda of decent work for all.
Zimbabwe over the years faced too many work related deaths which are too high and unacceptable hence the upcoming with the vision zero policy which should be adopted by all companies to eliminate the accidents.
A total of 5,141 accidents were reported in 2012 with 107 work related deaths. In 2013, there were 5,666 work related ancidents and 76 deaths, for the yaer 2014, there were 5,736 injuries and 106 fatalties while in 2016 there were 5,364 injuries and 63 fatalities. Currently from January to end of August 2017, there are 3,330 serious accidents and 32 fatalities that have been reported.
Companies were urged to adopt risk management approaches as well as report all accidents.
Dr Eve Gadzikwa, the Director General of the Standards Association of Zimbabwe said Zimbabwe should raise awareness on issues concerning good health and the environment of workers.
“There are more risks workers are exposed to and we have to plan how we are going to stop these work related deaths by putting up health procedures,” Gadzikwa said.
Workers should be treated equally regardless of gender, race or tribe to create a friendly working environment for everyone.