In the realms of economics, ethics, and law, the significance of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) cannot be overstated. In the fiercely competitive landscape of the global economy, companies are not just striving for profitability, but also grappling with the imperative of maintaining robust safety, health, and environmental standards. These standards transcend conventional business practices; they are often the lifeline that ensures a company’s endurance.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) paints a stark picture: each year, an estimated 2.2 million souls are lost to the shadows of workplace accidents and illnesses. A staggering 270 million people endure serious injuries that do not claim their lives but mark them with pain, while another 160 million are touched by ailments, both fleeting and enduring, born from their toils.
This human toll exacts a heavy price, not just in the currency of human suffering, but also in economic terms, amounting to a loss of four percent of the world’s gross domestic product. It’s a silent epidemic that drains the vitality of economies and communities alike.
In the verdant isle of Sri Lanka, the story unfolds similarly, with about 4,000 accidents reported annually. These incidents ripple through time, resulting in about 600,000 workdays lost each year, as if the very fabric of time were torn, leaving empty spaces where productivity and progress should have been.
It’s a narrative that calls for change, for the weaving of stronger safety nets and the creation of a culture where the health of every worker is held as a treasure, as precious as the work they do. The call to action is clear: to mend the tears and strengthen the weave, ensuring that the story of labour is one of triumph and not of tragedy.
Occupational safety and health is a critical discipline that revolves around preserving and safeguarding human lives and the physical assets within a workplace. Practitioners in this field are dedicated to preventing unnecessary fatalities and injuries among workers, much like our fictional employee, but OSH extends beyond basic first aid—it encompasses a broad spectrum of practices and principles.
At its core, OSH is about ensuring the well-being of persons by proactively mitigating risks and hazards present in their work environments. Whether it’s identifying potential dangers, implementing safety protocols, or providing proper training, OSH professionals play a pivotal role in creating a secure workplace. In the case of an employee, the safety professional demonstrated genuine concern by ensuring thorough training in hazard recognition and performing his job tasks correctly.
OSH isn’t just about compliance; it’s about fostering a culture of safety where every worker feels protected and empowered. By prioritising preventive measures, we can reduce accidents, illnesses, and injuries, ultimately creating healthier and more productive work environments. To ensure that OHS activities in Sri Lanka take place properly, there are several institutions and briefly given below are their roles in this area.
Enforcement institutions
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) stands as the principal authority overseeing occupational safety and health in Sri Lanka. Its duties include the implementation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, as well as the advancement of workplace safety and health across the nation. NIOSH offers educational programs, conducts research, and delivers advisory services in the field of occupational safety and health. Various ministries and organisations, both local and international, collaborate to safeguard workers, uphold industrial harmony, and manage the disbursement of compensation to employees who encounter accidents during their employment.
NIOSH is dedicated to improving the safety and health conditions of workers nationwide. A primary aim of the institute is to guide the government in developing a comprehensive national policy that reflects the specific requirements of various occupations and ensures the protection of employers and employees. NIOSH extends its expertise through consultative support and offers educational programs and training to all involved parties, focusing on the correct utilisation of machinery and the prevention of recognised risks.
The Department of Labour focuses on a variety of important goals. Its responsibilities include resolving industrial conflicts by applying labour legislation to ensure harmony in the industrial sector. The Department also strives to educate the workforce about labour regulations and encourages open communication to foster a peaceful industrial environment. It is tasked with enforcing labour standards that are pertinent to various professions, assessing emerging trades, and developing standards for these professions that are consistent with global benchmarks.
Sri Lanka is governed by a suite of laws and regulations designed to ensure occupational safety and health. The following are some of the key legislative measures in this area:
Factories Ordinance (No. 45 of 1942)
Occupational Safety and Health Act (No. 738/2002)
Employees’ Provident Fund Act (No. 15 of 1958).
The Workmen’s Compensation Ordinance (No. 19 of 1934).
The following are some other laws connected to Occupational Safety and Health (OHS);
Electricity Act
Employment of Women and Children Act
Workman Compensation Act
Radiation Protection Act
Mines Act and,
Pesticide act
International standards on OHS
Recognising the significance of occupational health and safety, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), in collaboration with numerous other entities, revised the former OHSAS 18001 standard. This endeavour resulted in the creation of ISO 45001, a comprehensive standard that embraces a risk-based approach. Published in 2018, ISO 45001 stands as the current and authoritative benchmark in this domain. The strength of this standard lies in its alignment with other ISO standards, facilitating seamless integration with diverse management frameworks.
ISO 45001 stands as a beacon in occupational health and safety management, serving as an international standard outlining the requisites for such systems. This framework enables organisations to navigate risks effectively and enhance their OHS performance.
Embedded within ISO 45001 are comprehensive guidelines encompassing OHS policy establishment, objective setting, meticulous planning, execution, operational facets, rigorous auditing, and systematic review. The standard ensures a holistic approach to health and safety management by emphasizing pivotal components like leadership commitment, active worker involvement, meticulous hazard identification, risk evaluation, adherence to legal mandates, emergency preparedness, thorough incident investigations, and a steadfast commitment to continuous enhancement.
At its core, ISO 45001 adopts the renowned Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) methodology, facilitating a systematic and iterative approach towards managing OHS risks. This standard applies to organisations of varied scales and sectors, with provisions for seamless integration with other ISO management system standards.
ISO 45001 standard requirements
Internationally Recognized Framework: ISO 45001 furnishes organisations with a globally acknowledged framework for effectively managing occupational health and safety risks. This facilitates systematic hazard assessment and the implementation of robust risk control measures, thereby resulting in a notable reduction in workplace injuries, illnesses, and incidents.
The standard encompasses clauses 4 to 10, which necessitate alignment based on the organisation’s specific requirements. These clauses are delineated as follows:
Clause 4 establishes the context for the Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS), encompassing internal and external constraints, as well as the needs of stakeholders.
Clause 5 defines the leadership role, serving as the driving force behind the “Plan, Do, Check, Act” (PDCA) cycle ingrained within the standard framework.
Clauses 6 to 10 correspond to the PDCA cycle as follows:
Clause 6 focuses on planning.
Clauses 7 and 8 pertain to implementation.
Clause 9 addresses the verification and monitoring phase.
This structured approach ensures a cohesive and systematic alignment with organisational objectives throughout the OHSMS implementation process as shown in the structure of the standard.
Importance of ISO 45001
Implementing ISO 45001 offers substantial advantages for organisations aiming to mitigate workplace incidents and demonstrate their commitment to occupational health and safety (OHS). The benefits encompass:
Demonstrating commitment: Adoption of the standard serves as a tangible demonstration of an organisation’s unwavering commitment to the health, safety, and well-being of its workforce. This not only enhances the organisation’s reputation, but also fosters higher morale among employees and improves retention rates.
In essence, ISO 45001 equips organisations with the tools to protect their workers and effectively manage OHS risks, thereby establishing itself as an indispensable standard on a global scale.
The standard furnishes a systematic framework for monitoring and reviewing compliance obligations, thereby ensuring the organisation’s adherence to legal requirements encompassing products and services. Organisations must have a comprehensive understanding of their objectives, the rationale behind them, and their attainment status, all of which must be effectively demonstrated within the established system.
Regulatory compliance and risk management: Compliance with OHS regulations is a fundamental requirement of ISO 45001, ensuring that organisations operate within legal bounds. The standard promotes proactive risk management practices, potentially leading to reduced insurance premiums.
Strengthened organisational resilience: ISO 45001 mandates the establishment of emergency preparedness and response protocols, bolstering the organisation’s resilience against safety threats and crises. This ensures a swift and effective response to emergencies, safeguarding employees and the organisation’s operations.
Internal and external audit programs are instrumental in evaluating the efficacy of the occupational health and safety management system, covering its diverse processes. These initiatives are central to fostering communication and promoting active worker involvement, enabling the detection of deficiencies and opportunities for improvement. Consequently, they contribute significantly to nurturing a culture of ongoing enhancement within the organisation.
Continual improvement: The framework of plan, do, check, and act embedded within ISO 45001 fosters a culture of continual improvement within the OHS management system. This iterative approach enables organisations to evolve, enhancing long-term worker health and safety performance.
Key benefits
ISO 45001 empowers organisations to discern occupational health and safety hazards, risks, and opportunities, thereby facilitating proactive management to enhance worker wellness and well-being. The standard stipulates that organisational management and leadership must:
Embed accountability for health and safety concerns within the overarching organisational strategy.
Exhibit involvement with employees (and, where applicable, employee representatives) to foster an organisational culture that fosters active worker participation in the OHS management system.
Guarantee seamless integration of the OHS management system into the organisation’s business processes.
By adhering to the international benchmarks outlined in the ISO 45001 standard, organisations can effectively pinpoint deficiencies and take corrective measures to bridge these gaps. This proactive approach enables organisations to elevate their standing to international standards, mitigating human-related health and safety concerns and yielding significant cost savings. It fosters the creation of a conducive work environment that prioritises employee well-being and productivity.
Implementing the requirements outlined in ISO 45001 empowers organisations to systematically assess their occupational health and safety management systems. This systematic approach enables them to identify areas for improvement and implement measures to enhance workplace safety and wellness. By aligning with international best practices, organisations can not only meet regulatory requirements, but also demonstrate their commitment to the well-being of their workforce.
Embracing the principles of ISO 45001 facilitates continual improvement in OHS performance. Through regular monitoring, evaluation, and adaptation of OHS policies and procedures, organisations can effectively address evolving risks and challenges. This dynamic approach ensures that the organisation remains resilient in the face of changing circumstances, safeguarding employees and the organisation’s reputation.
Adherence to ISO 45001 not only enhances OHS management, but also positions organisations for international recognition and success. By prioritising employee well-being and fostering a culture of safety, organisations can create a sustainable and thriving work environment.
The ISO 45001 standard provides the pathway for interested organisations to obtain a third-party international certificate demonstrating their commitment of having a safe and healthy work environment within their organisation.
