“Stop the pandemic: safety and health at work can save lives” is the theme of this year’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work, within the framework of which events aimed at drawing attention to safety and health at work issues are being held in the Vitebsk region, as well as around the world, this year.
“Stop the pandemic: safety and health at work can save lives” is the theme of this year’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work, within the framework of which events aimed at drawing attention to safety and health at work issues are being held in the Vitebsk region, as well as around the world, this year. On the eve of this, “Vitebskiye Vesti” spoke with Alexander Khristoforov, Chairman of the Committee for Labour, Employment and Social Protection of the Regional Executive Committee:
— The fight against the pandemic, preserving health, and protecting employees at their workplaces have now come to the forefront worldwide, — he said. — Strangely enough, over the past centuries, the basic methods of combating epidemics have hardly changed. The necessity of strict adherence to sanitary and epidemiological regulations and personal hygiene remains the most effective.
The coronavirus has brought uncertainty into the world and our lives. Undoubtedly, people see it as a threat to themselves and their loved ones and experience stress.
During such a challenging period, it is much more difficult for enterprises to make personnel and financial decisions in order not to weaken economic activity and maintain a decent level of remuneration.
– Alexander Nikolaevich, what does the legislation prescribe for ensuring labour safety?
– An extensive legislative framework in the field of occupational safety and health has been created, which takes into account the existing positive international experience and many years of practice in regulating these issues at the national level. This allows for the creation of conditions for safe work for employees, as well as ensures the protection of rights and the receipt of appropriate compensation in case of a workplace accident or occupational disease.
From June 28, amendments to the Law of the Republic of Belarus “On Occupational Safety and Health” will come into force; its provisions are brought into line with the legislative acts adopted in the republic, taking into account law enforcement practice. The main task of all measures taken is to reduce industrial injuries and occupational diseases.
– What positive results have been achieved in the Vitebsk region?
– In 2000, 166 cases of serious injuries were recorded at enterprises in the region, while by the end of 2019, this figure was less than 100. Since the beginning of the current year, compared to the previous period, industrial injuries have decreased by 10% overall.
– Could you provide examples of enterprises where, in your opinion, management not only cares about occupational safety but also about the comfortable and healthy leisure activities of employees?
– Traditionally, a review competition for the best organisation of occupational safety work is held in the region. More than 600 organisations participate in it annually. Based on the results of work for 2018 (the results for 2019 will be summarised later), the Lepel Central Hospital, the RUP for the transportation and supply of liquefied petroleum gases (RUP SG-TRANS) from Novopolotsk, the Braslavsky peat briquette plant, and Vitebskoblvodo canal were recognised as the best in various nominations. These enterprises pay special attention to creating safe and comfortable working conditions.
For example, RUP SG-TRANS has equipped its employees with its own gym (exercise equipment, table tennis, ski base) and also partially pays for subscriptions to the swimming pool, gym, and fitness classes. At the peat briquette plant, in addition to equipping the dining rooms and the occupational safety office in accordance with all regulations, a cardiopulmonary and cerebral resuscitation training mannequin was purchased for practicing first aid skills.
When creating a system for occupational health and safety management, it is necessary to consider the specifics of a particular enterprise's operations and the risks associated with its production processes. The employer is obliged to develop, implement, and maintain the functioning of this system.
– Are there any standards for this system?
– Of course. Our enterprises and organisations are guided by the State Standard of the Republic of Belarus STB 18001 “Occupational health and safety management systems. Requirements”. More than 200 organisations in the region implement it annually.
We are consistently moving towards achieving one of the important components of decent work – ensuring safe and healthy conditions at each workplace. At the same time, modern development requires new ideas. The International Social Security Association has developed the zero-accident concept Vision Zero. Its application in the enterprises of our country will positively impact the state of occupational health and safety.
– What is the essence of this concept?
– It is based on the recognition that every industrial accident and occupational disease has a cause.
As the analysis of completed investigations of industrial accidents shows, most of them are caused by the human factor – non-compliance by employers and/or employees with occupational safety and health requirements, low awareness and operational competence.
– Where can knowledge gaps be filled?
– Training for certain categories of employees is organised at Vitebsk State Technological University, Polotsk State University, Vitebsk Branch of MITSO, the Training Centre for Housing and Communal Services, and the Vitebsk Branch of the Republican Institute for Higher Education.
– Is the training only full-time?
– No. Our committee, together with the Technological University, has developed a distance learning system for advanced training courses "Occupational Safety and Labour Legislation". The theory is presented in video lectures by leading regional specialists in this field, and knowledge is tested through computer-based testing at the university on-site. Currently (we observe social distancing norms), non-resident students can be examined remotely in a webinar format.
– "Agitation and propaganda" are words that have fallen out of active use. But in the field of occupational safety and health, it is probably indispensable?
– Outdoor advertising reflecting the problems of industrial injuries is widely used, with 194 locations equipped for its placement. Months, weeks, and days of safety and occupational health are constantly held.
Mobile groups, which visit enterprises and pay attention to the compliance of buildings, facilities, structures, and workplaces with occupational safety and health, fire safety, and electrical safety requirements, show high efficiency in the agro-industrial complex and the construction industry. There are 35 mobile groups operating in the region, visiting more than 2,000 facilities annually.
Ensuring occupational safety and health is a daily task, and only with a deep inner conviction of the organisation's head, other officials, and employees that it is an important element of management culture, which will definitely bring its dividends, can work on occupational safety and health be brought to a new qualitative level.