The International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No.

155
and Recommendation No. 164 provide guidelines and
recommendations for occupational safety and health (OSH)
practices, including the responsibilities of employers. Here are
the key employer responsibilities outlined in these two ILO
documents:
ILO Convention No. 155 (1981):
1. Policy and Program Development: Employers are
responsible for developing and implementing an OSH
policy and program within their organizations. This
includes establishing and maintaining a safe working
environment.
2. Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment: Employers
must identify workplace hazards and assess the associated
risks to employees. They should take measures to
eliminate or control these hazards.
3. Prevention of Occupational Accidents and Diseases:
Employers are responsible for preventing occupational
accidents and diseases by implementing appropriate
preventive measures, such as providing safety equipment
and promoting safe work practices.
4. Training and Information: Employers should provide
employees with adequate information and training on OSH
matters. This includes educating workers about potential
 risks, safe work procedures, and emergency response
protocols.
5. Consultation and Participation: Employers should
establish mechanisms for workers to participate in OSH
decision-making processes. Workers and their
representatives should have a voice in identifying hazards
and proposing safety measures.
6. Reporting and Record-Keeping: Employers are required to
keep records of workplace accidents, diseases, and
hazards. They should report certain incidents to
competent authorities as mandated by national laws and
regulations.
ILO Recommendation No. 164 (1981):
1. OSH Management Systems: Employers are encouraged to
establish and maintain OSH management systems within
their organizations. These systems should incorporate
hazard identification, risk assessment, and ongoing
improvement processes.
2. Worker Participation: Recommendation No. 164
emphasizes active worker participation in OSH matters,
including policy development, risk assessment, and
program implementation.
3. Prevention of Accidents and Diseases: Employers are
advised to prioritize the prevention of accidents and
 occupational diseases through engineering controls, safe
work practices, and health surveillance.
4. Information and Training: Employers should provide
workers with relevant information and training on OSH
risks, prevention measures, and emergency procedures.
Education and training are key components of OSH.
5. Responsibilities of Employers: Employers are expected to
take primary responsibility for OSH within the workplace.
This includes ensuring safe conditions, providing necessary
resources, and complying with OSH laws and regulations.
6. Collaboration: Recommendation No. 164 encourages
employers to collaborate with workers and competent
authorities in implementing OSH measures and fostering a
safe and healthy work environment.
In summary, both ILO Convention No. 155 and
Recommendation No. 164 emphasize the employer's
responsibility to create and maintain a safe and healthy
workplace. They highlight the need for policies, risk
assessment, preventive measures, worker participation,
education, and collaboration to achieve these goals. Employers
are central to ensuring the well-being of their employees with
respect to occupational safety and health.