Commission urges action to mitigate workplace hazards

Dar es Salaam. The Public Service Commission has urged employers and employees to take proactive measures in mitigating workplace hazards, such as diseases and accidents, so as to safeguard workers' health.

To reinforce this, the Commission has urged the Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA) to intensify educational programmes on safety and health matters for both employers and employees, particularly in the public sector.

The directive was issued by the Commission's chairperson, Judge (Retired ) Hamisa Kalombola, during an official visit to OSHA’s offices in Dar es Salaam, yesterday.

The visit sought to assess the management of occupational safety and health within the public sector, following an order by the minister of State, President’s Office [Public Service Management and Good Governance], George Simbachawene.

Recently, Mr Simbachawene instructed the Commission to visit OSHA to gain insight into safety and health compliance.

Judge Kalombola said that the Commission’s primary mandate is to oversee the enforcement of Public Service laws and regulations.

Recently, occupational safety and health matters have been incorporated into the Commission’s inspection guidelines.

"Ensuring adherence to safety and health standards in public institutions is now one of the areas the Commission will be reviewing during its inspections. This necessitated our visit to OSHA to gain the necessary knowledge to perform our duties effectively," she said.

She further urged OSHA to ensure that the Commission’s inspectors receive specialised training in safety and health matters and collaborate in refining inspection checklists.

"Providing training to both employers and employees is crucial, but I also urge OSHA to equip our inspectors with the necessary knowledge. Safety and health in the workplace is not only a legal requirement but also an ethical responsibility for employers," she added.

Following the meeting, OSHA’s chief executive officer, Khadija Mwenda, said that the Commission had been briefed on the Occupational Health and Safety Act No 5 of 2003, as well as OSHA’s structure and core responsibilities in enforcing the law.

"I urge my fellow heads of public institutions to implement the government's directive by registering their workplaces with OSHA and ensuring compliance with safety and health standards. Failure to do so will mean their institutions do not meet the required public service inspection standards set by the Public Service Commission," she noted.