The Second Occupational Safety and Health Conference organised by the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs in co-operation with Hawkama Centre will be held on April 28.
The event will be attended by speakers from international organisations, government institutions and a number of representatives from companies and institutions from the private sector.
Held under the patronage of HE the Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs, Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi, the conference includes two main sessions.
The first session focuses on the international expertise and experience in the field of occupational safety and health, whereas the second one touches on the experiences of local entities and companies in the field.
The conference will end with a roundtable discussion on the procedures and plans to implement the technical programme signed between Qatar and International Labour Organisation (ILO).
Head of international labour relations department at Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs Faisal al-Shuaibi said the conference will be held under the theme of ‘Safety and Health of Workers First’, on the occasion of World Day for Safety and Health at Work (SafeDay). He added that many international organisations and entities will participate in the conference, starting with the ILO, Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) as well as other organisations specialised in occupational safety and health.
He said the ministry, which is organising this conference for the second time, will give occupational safety and health top priority in the coming years, in light of the infrastructure projects being implemented, especially that the state has completed the enactment of laws and procedures for the protection of workers’ rights.
He added that the occupational safety and health awards will be distributed during the conference to companies who have good performance on this matter.
With regard to safety at the workplace, al-Shuaibi confirmed that, as the ministry has indicated, the workplace accidents are very low.
He added that Qatar is moving forward towards more precautionary measures for the safety of workers at construction sites.
He stressed that Qatar gives great importance to the safety of workers and provides a healthy and sound work environment through setting occupational safety and health legislation as part of Qatar’s Labour Law No 14 of 2004, and the ministerial decisions implementing it.
This comes with the aim to promote the understanding of health and safety in the workplace in Qatar, he added.
Al-Shuaibi said the law obliges institutions to take preventative measures for occupational safety and health in all work areas and to provide a safe and sound work environment.
He added that the labour inspection department represented by the occupational safety and health department, works on consolidating the concept of health and safety at the workplace, through periodic and surprise inspections and awareness campaigns, in order to lessen workplace hazards, accidents and occupational diseases and to provide healthcare to the workers and to prepare appropriate accommodation for them.
Quality and Safety Manager at Ashghal Engineer Khaled al-Emadi said the conference is important to strengthen the occupational safety and health of workers in Qatar and to benefit from all local and international experiences and expertise.
Referring to Qatar’s strict system on the health and safety of workers and in maintaining the safety of the worker, he said: “We have an integrated system of occupational safety and health, and we apply strict standards in this regard. We constantly evaluate projects to avoid any deficiencies or gaps, while continuing to raise awareness and educate all parties.”
