How to minimize workplace injuries. Discussed at a labor protection seminar in Vitebsk
– Every industrial accident is an emergency situation, which is preceded by operational errors, someone's carelessness, negligence, or incompetence, – noted Alexander Khristoforov, Chairman of the Committee for Labor, Employment and Social Protection of the Regional Executive Committee. – The only positive aspect is that the rate of occupational diseases has been the lowest in the republic for several years now. This is due to the fact that the region invests considerable funds in technical re-equipment, production modernization, and improvement of working conditions. In 2018, over 41 million rubles were spent, which allowed for the improvement of workplaces for more than 8,000 people.
Alexander Khristoforov: Unfortunately, there are quite a lot of shortcomings in the field of labor protection due to the incompetence of responsible persons, their errors in organizing work safety.
Advanced training courses and knowledge testing on labor protection for managers and specialists of enterprises and organizations of the region are conducted at VSTU, the Vitebsk branch of the International University "MITSO", the Housing and Communal Services Training Center, and the Department of Extramural Training on Labor Protection and Industrial Safety for the Vitebsk Region of BSEU "RIVSH".
Months of safety and days of labor protection are held in the region, the purpose of which is to provide practical assistance in identifying and promptly eliminating violations of labor and labor protection legislation. This year, such events were held in forestry organizations, and from April 1, they were launched in the agro-industrial complex to ensure safety during the spring field work.
Associate Professor of the Department of Environmental and Chemical Technologies of VSTU Alexander Grechanikov acquainted the seminar participants with the "Vision Zero" concept developed by the International Social Security Association to improve occupational safety and health management systems, and the draft international standard ISO 45001, which describes the potential requirements for an occupational health and safety management system. They are not yet legally binding, but are intended to assist employers in reducing the rates of occupational injuries and occupational diseases.
Deputy Director of the Republican Fund "Labor and Health" Vladimir Pashkevich spoke about the features of selecting and using personal protective equipment, which, incidentally, could be viewed at the exhibition before the seminar. Materials from advanced training courses on labor protection and children's works sent to the regional competition "Safe Labor Through the Eyes of Children" were also presented there.
– Our task is to minimize the risks of occupational injuries and occupational diseases so that a person comes to work healthy and goes home healthy, – Alexander Khristoforov urged the heads of enterprises and organizations and occupational safety specialists.