Workshop on Policies in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Ankara, 15.2.2005 SME s and Safety and Health at Work Dr. J. Takala InFocus Programme on Safety and Health at Work and the Environment, SafeWork International Labour Office
Global Estimates Global workforce: 2.8 billion Work related fatalities: 2.2 million Occupational accidents: 270 million Work-related diseases: 160 million Global GDP (income) 30 000 billion USD Lost GDP in accidents/diseases 4 % Illiterate: 1000 million People in poverty: 1000 million Child workers: 246 million
Small-scale enterprises a home, a farm, a office, a factory, mine or quarry, a forestry operation, a construction operation, a garden or a fishing boat
Thousands of fatal tractor accidents every year
Features of small-scale enterprises Lack of capital poor environmental conditions cheaper raw materials inferior equipment maintenance inadequate personal protection Non- or under-unionization inferior pay rates longer working hours non-compliance with award conditions exploitation of child labour
Year 2004 Hazardous Child Labour: 22 000 deaths 17 million work accidents
Features of small-scale enterprises Inferior inspection services poor environmental conditions greater hazard level higher injury/illness rates
Application of enhanced and modern inspection methods Strategic enforcement National action programmes Provision of advice, materials and guidance to SMEs
Advantages of small-scale enterprises Family orientation Common work cultures Interdependency of employees Approachability of top management Effective use of resources
From ILO Encyclopaedia: a delegate from Turkey when commenting on the boot-making industry, which to a large extent was a cottage industry carried out in the home, reported that men, women and children were exposed to high concentrations of an unlabelled solvent, benzene, which resulted in the occurrence of anaemias and leukaemias
Difficulties faced by small businesses as: - a lack of awareness of health hazards by managers; - the higher cost per worker to reduce these hazards; and - an unstable competitive climate which makes it unlikely that such businesses can afford to implement the safety standards and regulations
Greater likelihood of - musculoskeletal injuries, - lacerations, burns, puncture - wounds, amputations and fractures, - poisonings from inhalation of solvents and other chemicals and, in the rural sector, - pesticide poisonings
1. National policies need to be formulated to improve health and safety of all workers in small-scale industries with special emphasis on education and training of managers, supervisors and workers and the means of ensuring that they receive adequate information to protect the health and safety of all workers. 2. Basic occupational health services for small-scale industries need to be integrated with the existing health systems providing primary health care.
3. Support from labour inspection services 4. Adequate communication systems are needed to ensure the free flow of occupational health and safety information among workers, management and occupational health/inspection services at all levels. 5. Occupational hygiene which measures, evaluates and controls environmental hazards. Appropriate occupational hygiene services and skills should be introduced into the service both centrally and peripherally.
New Codes and Guides
fatal injury 3 days or more absence from work 1-3 days absence first aid injury near accidents Source: R. Skiba, StBG, Germany
~ 37 CoP on OSH Indications of impact Requests for translations Related activities and requests for assistance
ILO-OSH 2001 in 21 languages 18
New Codes and Guides
Toxic: 211 substances Carcinogenic or sensitizing: 362 Corrosive: 247
ICSC GHS Control Banding Source: ILO/WHO/UNEP and EU: IPCS, Internat. Chemical Safety Cards, http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis/products/icsc/tradabout/chi.htm
PROPOSALS More information and knowledge centres Support translation of OSH information Lower cost of publications, free when feasible Develop alternatives for countries without Internet
In Eng-Fre-Spa-Chi-Rus-Jap-Kor www.ilocis.org
www.ilo.org/encyclopaedia
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