More than 900 enterprises in the Vitebsk region will implement a labor protection management system in 2011-2015

January 5, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. More than 900 enterprises and organizations in the Vitebsk region will implement a labor protection management system based on the Belarusian state standard STB 18001-2009 in 2011-2015. This task is one of the main measures of the program to improve working conditions and labor protection in the Vitebsk region for the next five-year period. This was reported to BELTA correspondent by Sergey Anufriev, First Deputy Head of the Vitebsk Regional Department of the State Labor Inspectorate of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection. In particular, in 2011, the labor protection management system is to be implemented at 345 enterprises, in 2012 – at 201, in 2013 – at 163, in 2014 – at 110, and in 2015 – at 122. Last year, 87 private and municipal enterprises in the region implemented this system, and 21 were certified. In addition, over the next five years, it is planned to create and re-equip 335 offices and about 1.7 thousand labor protection corners in the region's organizations, and to improve working conditions at 8.5 thousand workplaces with exceeding the permissible level of industrial noise, vibration, dust, gas, and lighting. In particular, in 2011 – 2.3 thousand. A significant role in the program is assigned to measures for improving sectoral and territorial labor protection management systems, ensuring effective interaction between local authorities and trade unions, creating training grounds for practicing practical skills in wells and trenches, and organizing employee training on labor protection issues. The implementation of the program will reduce industrial injuries and occupational diseases by 5%, and the number of people working in harmful or hazardous working conditions by 8%. The need for program development is due to the state of working conditions and labor protection in the region's organizations. Thus, annually, about 280 people are injured in industrial accidents, including more than 20 fatalities. Violations of labor protection requirements are widespread. According to operational data as of December 31, 2010, 25 workers died and 89 people were seriously injured in the region's organizations, which is 31.6% and 14.1% more, respectively, compared to 2009. In organizations of communal ownership, the level of severe injuries increased by 6 cases to 29, and among small businesses – by 6 cases to 11, respectively. The main number of accidents is caused by low production and executive discipline. At the same time, the most difficult situation is observed in organizations of the agro-industrial complex, construction, housing and communal services, the non-state sector of the economy, and the production sphere. -0-