Accra, Feb. 10, GNA – Ghana’s journey towards economic prosperity is intrinsically linked to the well-being of its workforce. Every day, countless individuals contribute their skills and labour to drive the nation forward.
Nonetheless, a shadow looms over this progress: the lack of a comprehensive national occupational health and safety (OHS) policy.
This absence leaves a critical gap in protecting Ghana’s most valuable resource – its people – and hinders the nation’s ability to achieve sustainable development.
The Current Landscape: A Patchwork of Outdated Regulations
While Ghana has made some strides in workplace safety, the current regulatory framework is a patchwork of outdated and fragmented legislation. The Factories, Offices and Shops Act of 1970, for instance, is woefully inadequate to address the complexities of modern workplaces.
The Labour Act of 2003, while offering some protections, lacks the comprehensive scope needed to ensure consistent safety standards across all sectors.
Challenges
Inconsistencies and loopholes arise from varying regulations across different industries, leading to confusion and inconsistencies in safety standards, which can leave workers in certain sectors more vulnerable than others.
Weak enforcement mechanisms often make it difficult to hold employers accountable for ensuring safe working conditions. Limited coverage means that many workers, particularly those in the informal sector, fall outside the scope of existing regulations, leaving them with little or no protection.
The high cost of inaction: Human suffering and economic loss
The consequences of neglecting workplace safety and health are far-reaching and devastating. Workers in various sectors face a myriad of hazards, leading to injuries, illnesses, disabilities, and even fatalities.
In construction, workers face dangers such as falls from heights, electrocutions, being struck by falling objects, and trench collapses. In 2020, a construction worker in Accra tragically lost his life when a poorly constructed scaffolding collapsed.
Mining presents risks like cave-ins, explosions, exposure to hazardous dust and chemicals, and machinery accidents.
In 2019, several miners were trapped and killed in a mining accident in the Western Region due to inadequate safety measures.
Agriculture exposes workers to pesticides and herbicides, machinery accidents involving tractors and other equipment, heatstroke, and ergonomic injuries from repetitive tasks.
A recent study found that agricultural workers in Ghana have a high incidence of musculoskeletal disorders due to prolonged manual labor.
Manufacturing involves hazards such as machinery accidents, exposure to noise and vibration, repetitive strain injuries, and fires. A fire in a textile factory in Tema in 2021 resulted in several injuries and significant property damage.
Medical professionals face biological hazards like exposure to infectious diseases, chemical hazards from contact with disinfectants and drugs, physical hazards from sharps injuries and radiation, and psychosocial hazards like stress and burnout.
Transportation workers face risks of road traffic accidents, ergonomic hazards from prolonged sitting and heavy lifting, exposure to noise and vibration, chemical hazards from fuels and exhaust fumes, and psychosocial hazards like stress and fatigue. These hazards cause immense suffering for individuals, families, and communities across all sectors.
Workplace accidents and illnesses impose a significant economic burden on individuals, businesses, and the nation, with lost productivity, medical expenses, compensation claims, and rehabilitation costs all contributing to this burden and hindering economic growth.
Unsafe and unhealthy working conditions can lead to low morale, increased absenteeism, and decreased productivity. Companies with poor safety records can suffer reputational damage, making it difficult to attract and retain skilled workers.
The benefits of a comprehensive OHS Policy: A foundation for sustainable development
A robust national OHS policy would provide a framework for several key improvements. It would establish clear and enforceable standards for workplace safety and health, ensuring consistent protection across all sectors, eliminating confusion and providing a level playing field for businesses.
It would encourage proactive measures to prevent accidents and illnesses, such as risk assessments, hazard identification, safety training, and the provision of personal protective equipment, promoting a prevention-focused culture.
It would strengthen enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with safety regulations and hold employers accountable for protecting workers, potentially including regular inspections, penalties for violations, and incentives for good safety performance.
It would promote a culture of safety through education and awareness campaigns, empowering workers to identify and report hazards, participate in safety committees, and advocate their own well-being.
Finally, it would establish a system for collecting and analysing data on workplace accidents and illnesses to identify trends, assess the effectiveness of interventions, and inform policy decisions.
A Call to Action: Building a safer and healthier Ghana starts with us
The evidence is clear: Ghana urgently needs a comprehensive Occupational Health and Safety policy. This is not just about complying with international standards; it is about safeguarding the most valuable asset-people. It is about ensuring that every worker, from the construction sites of Accra to the rural farms and bustling hospitals, can return home safely at the end of each day.
Call to action for everyone.
The government must prioritise the development and implementation of a robust national OHS policy that covers all sectors and provides clear guidelines, strong enforcement, and adequate resources for implementation.
Employers must invest in creating safe and healthy workplaces, going beyond the minimum requirements, providing comprehensive training, prioritising preventative measures, and fostering a culture where safety is everyone’s responsibility.
Workers must know their rights, speak up about hazards, and actively participate in creating a safer work environment, demanding better protection and holding employers accountable.
Civil society must advocate stronger OHS regulations, raise awareness about workplace safety, and support initiatives that empower workers and promote a culture of prevention.
Let us work together to build a Ghana where every worker is protected, every workplace is safe, and economic growth goes hand in hand with the well-being of our people.
The time for action is now.
GNA
By Yaw Banahene, Managing Partner, enviroSAFE Ghana Limited