OHS Works Co. Ltd. on October 25, 2024, held the inaugural Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Conference 2024 in Kigali, Rwanda, under the theme “Empowering Safety: Advancing Health and Safety Practices in the Modern Workplace.”
The event brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and professionals from different public and private sectors to address the growing need for robust occupational health and safety standards, marking a significant milestone in promoting workplace safety and health standards across the country.
Mr. Patrick KANANGA, Chief Labour and Decent Work Administrator, Ministry of Public Service and Labor (MIFOTRA), emphasized that in today’s complex work environment, it is everyone’s collective responsibility to ensure safety and healthy workplaces.
He said, “Every day, millions of workers contribute their skills and efforts to drive our economy forward. However, behind every statistic of productivity lies the potential for workplace hazards.”
According to the International Labor Organization, millions of workers worldwide are affected by work-related injuries and illnesses each year. It is not just a matter of compliance; it’s about safeguarding lives, enhancing productivity, and fostering a culture of safety that benefits everyone.
The ILO estimates that more than 2.3 million fatalities occur every year due to more than 337 million workers sustain injuries and more than 170 million cases of work-related diseases occur. Here we are talking about people’s lives and workers’ health. It is estimated that these injuries cost countries 4% of GDP.
“Many accidents at work go unreported and most occupational diseases go undiagnosed. In SMEs and the informal sector, there is gross underreporting. While occupational accidents and diseases may still occur, it is essential to recognize that they are preventable,” said Mr. Kananga.
Rwanda has made significant progress in occupational safety and health (OSH) over the past three decades, adopting its first national policy in 2024 and establishing various laws and regulations.
He said, “We acknowledge and appreciate the invaluable role of stakeholders in the successful implementation of our National Occupational Safety and Health policies, laws, and regulations. Their commitment, collaboration, and expertise are essential in fostering a culture of safety and well-being across all sectors. By working together, government institutions, employers, employees, civil society, development partners, and the community can create safer workplaces, enhance compliance, and ultimately protect the safety and health of our workforce.”
Mr. Kananga highlighted the ongoing challenges in improving occupational safety and health standards, stating that many workers still face hazards that pose a threat to their health and well-being.
He emphasized the need for continuous vigilance and improvement in certain industries, emphasizing the importance of enhanced law enforcement and fostering an occupational safety and health culture to ensure safe home return for workers.
He said, “Workplace safety is essential regardless of the size company. All companies, big or small, need to incorporate safety in their workplaces. Well-implemented safety measures keep employees safe and also protect industrial equipment. It is the responsibility and duty of employers to protect their employees and keep them safe.”
He said, “A work environment free from injuries and accidents attracts employees. Employees are more satisfied and productive in such an employment. A safe work environment is essential for both employees and employers alike. It is the right of all employees to have safety in the workplace.”
He added, “Employers must conduct thorough occupational safety and health risk assessments as a foundational step in ensuring a safe working environment. By systematically identifying potential hazards and evaluating associated risks, employers can proactively develop tailored safety policies that address specific workplace challenges.”
He said, “Establishing a clear policy, accompanied by a comprehensive implementation plan, not only demonstrates a commitment to employee well-being but also fosters a culture of safety within the organization. This approach enables ongoing monitoring and improvement, ensuring that safety measures evolve in line with workplace dynamics. Prioritizing these actions is essential for protecting the health of all employees and enhancing overall organizational Performance.”
Mr. Kananga emphasized the importance of employer and worker participation in social dialogue and workplace cooperation for a sound Occupational Safety and Health culture, recommending the establishment of functional occupational and health committees.
He said, “Training in Occupational Safety and Health is crucial for both establishment and their employees. For organizations, implementing comprehensive training programs ensures compliance with safety regulations and fosters a culture of safety within the workplace. For employees, acquiring knowledge and skills related to occupational safety and health empowers them to recognize hazards, respond effectively to emergencies, and contribute to a safer work environment.”
He highlighted the importance of implementing the workplace wellness program, which was adopted by all stakeholders in 2023 and disseminated to public and private institutions, emphasizing that this program is theirs to implement.
The Managing Director of OHS Works Co Ltd, Sam RUTARE, noted that they organized this conference to address the lack of a safety culture in the workplace due to the mushrooming of industries. He emphasized the importance of training people, implementing existing laws, and making them aware of the need for a safety culture. The goal is to ensure workplace protection and promote a safer environment.
He said, “The issue is, people are not protected. Investors—most of them are interested in their money and life—that’s the problem we come up with. We need to protect our people and safety first in a work environment.”
“So as a result, we have to say, we cannot keep on like this; accidents everywhere, on the road, in mining, in water, in industries—all these processing industries are incurring several incidents; every other statistic is big. Just quick ones, like Gakinjiro Place, are burning every other day, three times a year minimum. This is because that culture is not in here.”
He emphasized the importance of raising awareness and training employees, as well as enforcing safety precautions in industries, as per a law requiring industry start-ups to protect their employees.
He said, “This is the whole essence of why we are trying to train people. In many sectors, all of them have their risks, but when you compare, they are relatively not the same. Mining sectors are the worst. Construction is the worst. Recently we had an incident, which everybody knew, near the golf club; somebody fell on that street. Steel rolling mills, areas like Kimana Steel, smelt this iron ore; they smelt all the metals generally.”
Secretary General of Rwanda Extractive Industry Workers Union (REWU), Eng. Andre MUTSINDASHYAKA, discussed the improvement in health and safety in mining, primarily due to the RMB’s established rules and regulations. However, he noted that workers still require medical checkups before entering the workforce, as they may contract diseases at work. Additionally, he stressed that accidents still occur due to illegal mining sites and natural hazards, highlighting the need for ongoing improvements in safety measures.
He revealed that 66% of miners without occupational health and safety insurance, including respiratory diseases, lack protection, despite the RSSB covering 34% of miners.
He expressed concern about the lack of insurance coverage for mining workers approaching pension age, as commercial insurance is often limited and insufficient. He expressed gratitude for the RMB’s cooperation with employers and the ongoing campaign to include all workers in the RSSB, ensuring they are adequately covered in case of work-related accidents. This will prevent further issues for these workers.
He confirmed that laws regarding health and safety at work, mining laws in Rwanda, and regulations set by the Rwandan Ministry of Labour and the Rwanda Standard Board are in place.
“Non-compliance with worker health and safety laws is detrimental to both the government and the families, as it increases the burden on both parties involved,” said Eng. Mutsindashyaka.
“At the mining level, we are happy that there has been a lot of growth compared to 2014, where we were at 2%, and today we have reached 34%.”
Eng. Mutsindashyaka attributed the lack of enforcement of laws to employers’ ignorance of them, workers’ lack of knowledge of their rights, and the potential penalties for non-compliance.
He said, “But it also depends on the little inspection that is done, because if there is a real inspection in the labor sector and the mining sector, I believe that it could be solved, because the law is there, it has provisions, and those responsible for implementing it are there.”
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