Health policy for a safer workplace

NAMIBIA’S national occupational health policy was launched on Friday in association with the World Health Organisation (WHO).

WHO country representative Dr Custodia Mandlhate said employers should be urged to identify health hazards at the workplace by conducting risk assessments. “Workplaces with poor occupational health and safety standards result in a great loss of healthy work days and a number of fatalities, diseases and poor quality of life for employees.Without a healthy workforce there is no development,” Mandlhate said.The policy is aimed at improving aspects of human health that are determined by physical, chemical and psychological factors in the workplace.Thirteen WHO member states, including Namibia, are finalising the WHO’s global plan of action on workers’ health.Speaking at the launch, Health Minister Richard Kamwi said there was an urgent need to strengthen occupational health services in the public and private sectors, as it will help reduce the costs associated with accidents and ill health.”Currently many workplaces lack sufficient capacity on their own to meet all occupational health and safety legislative requirements.Support should be provided by national and regional occupational health services with information, advisory and other practical interventions,” Kamwi said.The policy will be revised periodically, taking into consideration global and regional advances, including changes in technology in the field of occupational health.”Workplaces with poor occupational health and safety standards result in a great loss of healthy work days and a number of fatalities, diseases and poor quality of life for employees.Without a healthy workforce there is no development,” Mandlhate said. The policy is aimed at improving aspects of human health that are determined by physical, chemical and psychological factors in the workplace. Thirteen WHO member states, including Namibia, are finalising the WHO’s global plan of action on workers’ health.Speaking at the launch, Health Minister Richard Kamwi said there was an urgent need to strengthen occupational health services in the public and private sectors, as it will help reduce the costs associated with accidents and ill health.”Currently many workplaces lack sufficient capacity on their own to meet all occupational health and safety legislative requirements.Support should be provided by national and regional occupational health services with information, advisory and other practical interventions,” Kamwi said.The policy will be revised periodically, taking into consideration global and regional advances, including changes in technology in the field of occupational health.