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Senegalese officials have launched a programme to improve occupational health and safety, given the high number of accidents that have occurred over the past 10 years, the daily ‘Le Soleil’ reported.
About 44,000 accidents were registered over the past decade. As a result, the Ministry of Public Works and Employment purchased instruments for inspectors to test more accurately work-related conditions and reports of injuries and illnesses. For example, the tools will help inspectors measure humidity, light, noise and the concentration of chemical substances in the work area.
“One of the main causes of the increase in the number of work accidents and illnesses seems to be linked to the work conditions and organization and this illustrates the importance of prevention,” said Minister Yero Deh. In addition, he said, “we must know the technological risks so they don’t transform into accidents or pollution.”
The Regional African Centre of Work Administration, based in Yaounde, is helping Senegal improve its employment conditions. A course is scheduled next week for those employees dealing with hygiene and security. Themes to be touched on include mechanical, chemical and electrical risks, as well as the prevention of HIV infection.
Countries which have HIV-prevalence rates of between 10 percent and 30 percent have already felt the dramatic effects of the illness on productivity in the industrial and agricultural sectors.
About 255 million people suffer accidents at work every year around the world and another 160 million fall ill.
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
