Anticipate, Prepare and Respond To Crises: Invest Now in Resilient Osh Systems

Anticipate, prepare and
respond to crises
INVEST NOW IN RESILIENT
OSH SYSTEMS
Date: Monday / 01 / October / 2019

Introduction
3
The COVID-19 pandemic:

a global challenge for safety and health at work
 Workers and people in the world of work OSH risks in the workplace:
have been at risk of infection  Risk of acquiring the novel coronavirus
 Some workplaces have become sources of
outbreaks of the virus
 Other risks that have emerged due to new
work practices and procedures (chemical,
 Certain work settings are at particular risk ergonomic, psychosocial risks, violence
(close contact between workers, poor and harassment)
ventilation)
Anticipate, prepare and respond to crises: Invest now in resilient OSH systems
4
The COVID-19 pandemic: a crisis for safety and health at work

Emergency and health care workers face higher OSH risks
5
Basic OSH rights and responsibilities

(as provided in Convention No. 155)
Employers Workers and their representatives
 Ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable,  Receive adequate OSH information & training
that the workplaces, machinery, equipment,  Remove themselves from any situation which they have
processes and agents are without risk to reasonable justification to believe presents an
health imminent and serious danger to their life or health
 Provide, where necessary, adequate PPE (at  Be consulted and co-operate with the employer in the
no cost to the worker) field of OSH
 Provide, where necessary, for measures to  Comply with OSH instructions and
deal with emergencies and accidents take care for their own safety and
 Ensure that workers and their representatives that of others
are consulted, informed, and trained on OSH  Use safety devices and PPE correctly
 Report any hazardous situation,
work accident or injury
6
Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155), and

Recommendation (No. 164)
 Adoption of a coherent national OSH policy
 Action to be taken both at the national and enterprise level to promote OSH and improve working
conditions
 Basic rights and responsibilities for employers and workers in the field of OSH
 Further requirements for the recording and notification of occupational accidents and diseases in
the Protocol of 2002 (No. 155)
Advancing social justice, promoting decent work

7
Occupational Health Services Convention, 1985 (No. 161) and

Recommendation (No. 171)
 Establishment of enterprise-level occupational health services
 entrusted with essentially preventive functions
 responsible for advising the employer, the workers and their
representatives in the enterprise on maintaining a safe and healthy
working environment
 Critical role during health crises

 Help employers and workers adopt adequate measures in the workplace
 Support OSH management in health care facilities, ensuring the continuity
of the emergency response and essential health services
8
Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention,

2006 (No. 187) and Recommendation (No. 197)
 Promotion of a national preventive safety and health culture
 Establishment of a sound national OSH system
 National OSH policy and regulatory frameworks (OSH laws and regulations, collective
agreements and other relevant instruments; Mechanisms for ensuring compliance)
 National OSH institutional framework (OSH authority or body; National tripartite advisory body;
collaboration with relevant insurance or social security)
 Occupational health services
 Information, advisory services and training on OSH
 Data collection and research on OSH
 Promotion of OSH at the enterprise level (cooperation between
management, workers and their representatives; progressive improvement
in MSMEs and informal economy)
National OSH
policy and
regulatory
frameworks
10
Strengthening effective national OSH policies and regulatory frameworks

to better respond to crises and emergencies
 Essential for the protection and A comprehensive and functional regulatory system
promotion of physical and mental should include:
health at work  a basic and overarching OSH act covering all
 Contributes to resilient OSH workers and sectors, defining basic OSH rights and
systems, preparing them to better responsibilities
respond to crises in the future  laws and regulations, covering specific sectors or
 Proactively adapts to new contexts hazards
and allows for rapid and  codes of practice and technical standards, providing
appropriate emergency responses specific guidance

 collective bargaining agreements

11
Basic OSH rights and responsibilities

(as provided in Convention No. 155)
Employers Workers and their representatives
 Ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable,  Receive adequate OSH information & training
that the workplaces, machinery, equipment,  Remove themselves from any situation which they have
processes and agents are without risk to reasonable justification to believe presents an
health imminent and serious danger to their life or health
 Provide, where necessary, adequate PPE (at  Be consulted and co-operate with the employer in the
no cost to the worker) field of OSH
 Provide, where necessary, for measures to  Comply with OSH instructions and take care for their own
deal with emergencies and accidents safety and that of others
 Ensure that workers and their representatives  Use safety devices and PPE correctly
are consulted, informed, and trained on OSH  Report any hazardous situation, work accident or injury

12
Recognition of occupational accidents and diseases
ILO standards provide grounds for the recognition of COVID-19 as occupational injury, but is
contingent upon each country’s national law to consider whether and how COVID-19 may be
treated as an occupational injury
 Recognition for healthcare workers or emergency personnel, both under existing legislation (e.g.,
Turkey and Belgium ) or with new regulations (e.g., Colombia)
 Recognition for other workers at higher risks, such as those in essential services (e.g. Argentina)
 Recognition as an occupational injury for workers irrespective of their occupation (Italy, Spain,
Denmark)

13
New legal requirements to prevent the spread of the virus in the

workplace
 Provisions for the identification and control of potential sources of exposure
 Sector specific procedures and protocols to prevent and deal with COVID-19 in the workplace
 physical distancing
 working from home arrangements
 responding to positive cases of COVID-19 in the workplace
 personal protective equipment (PPE)
 safe commuting to and from the workplace, etc.
 Protection from unfair dismissal and provision for sick pay and benefits to ensure compliance
with quarantine requirements

G20 OSH Experts Network Survey: 14
Key Measures Adopted to Protect OSH of Workers during COVID-19
Anticipate, prepare and respond to crises:

Invest now in resilient OSH systems
15
Adopting provisions to address associated OSH risks
 To prevent and minimize other associated risks emerged due to new OSH measures, work
processes and arrangements (i.e. ergonomic, chemical, and psychosocial risks)
COVID-19 Management Guidelines (Malaysia) emphasized the need to conduct mental health
assessments for workers along with proper mitigation strategies
 To address the increased risk of both physical and psychological violence and harassment
(particularly against health care workers)
The Algerian penal code was amended in July to provide protection for healthcare workers from
verbal and physical attacks, with penalties of 5 to 10 years prison time for offenders

16
Ensuring compliance with national laws and regulations:

the role of labour inspection during the COVID-19 crisis
 Strong labour inspection system, covering all types of enterprises and all workers, is essential to
implement OSH regulations, identify cases of non-compliance, assist to rectify them, and prevent
new cases
 Strategy to deal with emergencies
 promote compliance with new OSH requirements adopted to respond to the crisis
 maintain the enforcement of other regulations and ensure a continued response to other
persistent OSH risks
 protect the safety and health of inspectors while performing their duties (including the risk of
contagion, the risk of violence and harassment that may increase during emergencies, etc.)

17
Intensification of labour inspection activity: some examples from around the

world
 In Myanmar, workplaces were ordered to close and could only resume operations when
approved by a labour inspection team to ensure compliance with COVID-19 guidelines
 Mexico expanded labour inspections to ensure work being performed onsite in enterprises was
deemed essential, verify compliance with COVID-19 prevention and control requirements and
monitor compliance with other OSH legal provisions
 In Singapore, the entire inspection personnel was mobilized to inspect workplaces as well as
dormitories where workers are housed, with a focus on OSH issues related to COVID-19. In
addition, more than 100 officers were assigned to check on companies who did not implement
flexible work arrangements

18
Incentives for promoting compliance among employers
 The COVID-19 crisis has been challenging for employers as they need to invest resources in
OSH (new measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission and to address other emerging
risks) while facing the economic effects of the pandemic on revenue
 Economic incentives (tax incentives, insurance-related incentives, matching funds and non-
financial incentives, such as recognition and awards)
 Strategy for motivating employers to invest in prevention work in OSH
In the Philippines, the government created a “COVID-19 Response Award” for employers
who successfully stopped the spread of the virus in their workplaces through OSH policies
and programs. The criteria for this award was drawn from the ILO Prevention and
Mitigation of COVID-19 at Work Action Checklist

National OSH
institutional frameworks
20
An authority or body responsible for OSH
 Key component of the OSH administration at the national level

 Proactively involved in crisis response management at the national level
 Provides leadership and acts as a trusted source during times of crises
 Coordination
 between the various institutions involved
 between national and local levels

21
A national tripartite advisory body addressing OSH issues and the impact
of COVID-19
 Common mechanism to ensure social partners’ participation in OSH governance (building
consensus through a tripartite approach allows for better implementation of measures)
 Different roles and functions (from a consultative role to a decision-making role)
 Participation in the OSH discussion at the national level, including the issuance of instructions or
guidance to mitigate the impact of the crisis

22
The Working Group on Industrial Relations within the Australian National

COVID-19 Coordination Commission
 Established in April 2020 to support safe and healthy working environments during the pandemic
 Brought together experts from health and labour along with employers and workers
representatives
 Core focal points include Safe Work Australia, the Department of Health, the national Workplace
Relations, Employment and Safety team and the Fair Work Commission
 Works in coordination with Safe Work Australia and local governments to develop guidelines for
safe workplaces in a range of industries, to ensure workers and employers are
informed of health and safety risks and to formulate safe working practices
as new health issues arise

23
Collaboration with relevant insurance or social security schemes

covering occupational injuries and diseases
The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need for collaboration between
 the national OSH system, mainly aimed at promoting continuous improvement of OSH to
prevent occupational injuries, diseases and deaths
 relevant insurance or social security schemes, managing accidents and diseases when they
occur
 medical care, vocational rehabilitation, cash benefits and compensation to workers who are
injured on the job or who develop occupational diseases
 survivors’ benefits for families of victims of occupational fatalities

Occupational Health
Services
25
Functions
 Identification and assessment of OSH risks  Surveillance of workers’ health

 Surveillance of the working environment and  Promotion of the adaptation of work to the worker
working practices which may affect workers’  Contribution to vocational rehabilitation
health  Collaboration in providing OSH information,
 Advice on planning and organization of work training and education
 Participation in developing programmes for the  Organization of first aid and emergency treatment
improvement of working practices  Participation in analysis of occupational accidents
 Advice on OSH, ergonomics and individual and and occupational diseases
collective protective equipment
All these functions are essential to help employers mitigate the risk of contagion and other
associated risks during the COVID-19 pandemic

26
Monitoring of the working environment and risk assessment
 Identification and evaluation of the environmental factors  This process provides

which may affect workers’ health; information on the OSH
 Assessment of conditions of occupational hygiene and factors needs of the enterprise and
in the organization of work which may give rise to risks for the indicates priorities for
health of workers; prevention and control
 Assessment of collective and personal protective equipment; actions
 Assessment – where appropriate – of exposure of workers to
hazardous agents;
 Assessment of control systems designed to eliminate or
reduce exposure.

27
Surveillance of workers’ health and provision of first aid services
 Assess the fitness of a worker to carry out certain jobs

 Identify any health impairments which may be related to the exposure to harmful agents inherent
in the work process
 Identify cases of occupational diseases in accordance with national legislation
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Occupational Health Services have often been responsible for
tracking confirmed and suspected cases
tracing any potential contagion, instructing workers to quarantine
notifying public health and social security authorities, among other functions

28
Occupational Health Services in the United Arab Emirates
 They provide a comprehensive surveillance system during the pandemic, while efficiently
monitoring the status of the entire workforce to aid management
 ongoing health monitoring
 testing
 telehealthconsultations
 quarantine timelines

29
Adaptation of work to the workers and protection of vulnerable groups
 Identification of vulnerable groups of workers

 Consideration of the worker’s state of health and all other known risk factors (in the case of
COVID-19 these include age, ethnicity, body mass index)
 Due to the nature of their jobs, some groups such as migrant workers, contract workers and
day labours, for example, may face unique risks
 Recommendations to facilitate the adaptation of work to the workers
 Selection of a job that minimizes adverse effects
 Provision of special equipment or protective devices
 Adoption of specific work arrangements (e.g., compulsory telework)
 Prescription of sick leave
30
The advisory role
Advise TO Advice ON
 Employers  Risk assessment
 Enterprise management  Preventive and control measures
 Workers and their  Modifications in work processes and procedures
representatives  Return to work following accidents or diseases (including
 OSH committees COVID-19)
 Educational and training activities
(both in their collective and  Individual health in relation to work
individual capacities) (personal advice)

31
Provision of general preventive and curative health services
 The ILO Occupational Health Services Recommendation (No. 171) promotes the provision of
curative and general health care services as functions of Occupational Health Services, including
 carry out immunizations in respect to biological hazards in the working environment
 take part in campaigns aimed at the protection of workers’ health
 collaborate with the health authorities within the framework of public health programmes
 This function can be particularly critical for hard to reach areas and populations and during
emergencies, where many public health entities are under pressure

32
Collaboration with external services
 with the public health system of the country as a whole as well as institutions and facilities in
local communities, in order to facilitate coordination with specialized health services for
appropriate treatment of occupational injuries and diseases
 with emergency response organizations and first aid providers such as ambulance services,
hospital outpatient and emergency clinics, poison control centres, police and fire brigades and
civic rescue organizations to ensure the expeditious treatment of acute injuries and assist in
planning for and responding to major emergencies
 with social security and health insurance institutions to facilitate the
administration of benefits and functioning of the workers’ compensation system

Information, advisory
services and training on
OSH
34
Information and advisory services on OSH

 Prerequisites to functional OSH systems
 Provide vital, up-to-date information to workers, their representatives and
employers during routine work and emergency scenarios, including about both
existing and newly introduced OSH requirements
 OSH national authorities and bodies have played a leading role in the
dissemination of information on COVID-19, creating ad hoc sites and producing
materials for different sectors that are easily reproducible for distribution to workers
or posting in workplaces
 Social Partners have also been very active in collaborating with governments and
supporting their members to take action in the workplace for preventing and
mitigating the spread of COVID-19
 Workers’ representatives are uniquely positioned to contribute to facilitating
communication with workers about emerging risks and how they affect them
35
Awareness-raising campaigns
 Important for promoting OSH on key topics, particularly in crisis situations

 Effective means of disseminating essential information and for sensitizing workers, employers
and communities about OSH rights and responsibilities
 During the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been campaigns to raise awareness on different
topics, for example:
 the risk of transmission of the virus among essential workers
 increases in violence and harassment

36
Awareness raising campaigns for OSH in coffee value chains in Mexico
 The ILO Vision Zero Fund and the National Federation of Coffee Growers in Mexico produced a range of
audiovisual resources as part of a campaign
 The aim of the project was to raise awareness amongst workers of safety and health at work in coffee value
chains during COVID-19
 The campaign included a radionovela (radio soap opera), with 10 installments on a range of OSH topics
including mitigating the risk of COVID-19 during harvest time
 A series of videos was also created, discussing COVID-19 prevention in agriculture, as well as cleaning
disinfection and other mitigation measures

37
Provision of training on OSH
 Amendment of OSH training plans to cover

 new hazards and risks emerged during the crisis
 how to apply and follow new measures and procedures adopted
 Sector specific approaches
 In South Africa, the government required that all workers complete a training
on COVID-19 and OSH before returning to work
 In Ireland, the HSA created a “Return to Work Safely Induction” online course,
which workers are required to take before returning to work
 In Singapore, the Building and Construction Authority created a compulsory
online COVID-Safe training for workers in the construction sector focusing on
the risks specific to these workers
Data collection and
research on OSH
39
Building a comprehensive and effective system for gathering and

analysing OSH data and information
 Essential for developing informed policies, laws and regulations, strategies and other measures
on OSH, including responding to crisis situations
 Should include:
 Mechanisms and structures for recording and notification of occupational accidents and
diseases
 Complementary mechanisms to collect other OSH data and statistics
 Research capacity to identify new and emerging risks and new preventive techniques for
addressing them

40
Notification of occupational injuries and diseases
 In most countries, recording and notification of occupational accidents and diseases is an

obligation of enterprises
 In countries where COVID-19 has been recognized as an occupational injury (accident or
disease), it must be notified, as for all other cases
 An efficient recording and notification system is important and useful in emergency situations to
allow collection of accurate data and to quickly identify clusters of cases
 To promote compliance with notification requirements, the competent authorities, in collaboration
with social partners, need to educate employers and workers about their responsibilities
In Northern Ireland (United Kingdom) the Health and Safety Executive provides a list of criteria
to guide employers concerning when a COVID-19 case or dangerous occurrence must be
reported to the government.

41
Gathering other OSH data and information in times of crisis
 Labour inspection statistics can provide data on occupational accidents and occupational
diseases, compliance and other OSH related issues
 Surveys and studies, both general and by sector, can be carried out on critical aspects of the
organization and implementation of prevention measures in enterprises
 Surveys can be performed by social partners, collecting data about their members
perceptions and experiences.
 A global survey by the trade union UNI examined COVID-19 responses and experiences of
trade unions around the world, with over 60% of workers who responded noting that they were
impacted by shortages of PPE and disinfectants.
 The International Organization of Employers (IOE) produced a joint survey with the ILO looking
at challenges, impacts and responses of enterprises to COVID-19, including OSH responses

42
Research on OSH and COVID-19
 Necessary to better ascertain the realities of OSH situations

 Very relevant for the development and updating of regulations, particularly to
 identify the specific risks in a certain sector or industry (including both
exposure to the virus and other associated risks) and effective solutions to
mitigate or eliminate them
 gain deeper knowledge of the situation of particular groups of workers that
are presumed to be exposed to special or unusually severe risks
 identify and assess short and long term health consequences (including
those resulting from other related risks and working situations)
 assess compliance and ascertain how effective legal provisions are by
sector, region and type of enterprise with the aim of increasing adherence of
duty holders
Strengthening OSH
management systems
at the enterprise level
44
Emergency prevention, preparedness and response
 A sound OSH management system should include the establishment and maintenance of
emergency prevention, preparedness and response arrangements
 identify the potential for emergency situations and address the OSH risks associated with them
 made to the size and nature of activity of the enterprise
 ensure that the necessary information, communication and coordination are provided to protect all people
in the event of an emergency at the worksite
 provide information and communication with the relevant competent authorities, the neighbourhood and
emergency response services;
 address first-aid and medical assistance, fire-fighting and evacuation
 provide relevant information and training to all members of the enterprise
 be established in cooperation with external emergency services and other bodies
45
Promoting cooperation between management, workers and

representatives in the workplace
 Workers’ participation is a key element of the OSH management system in the workplace
 Particularly relevant during emergencies (with new/increased hazards and risks, high
uncertainty, rapid change)
 Involving workers and giving them a sense of ownership in the response help ensuring the
implementation of sustainable and appropriate solutions
 The employer should ensure:
 Consultation, information and training for workers and their representatives
on all aspects of OSH, including emergency arrangements associated with
their work.
 Ensure co-operation between management and workers when working from
home (maintaining regular communication)
46
Hazard identification and risk assessment
 Identify all occupational hazards and assess  Carried out before any modifications/
the associated risks assessed on an on- introduction of new work methods/
going basis processes/equipment
 Exposure to the virus  Address all workers, as well as suppliers,
 Exposure to other hazards (biological, chemical,
clients and visitors
physical, psychosocial – including violence and
harassment)  Take into account workers’ individual
 Consider the work environment, the tasks characteristics
 Older adults and people with serious underlying
and the measures already available medical conditions (higher risk for severe illness
 Consider the entire working day, including from COVID-19)
access to common areas such as  Workers with disabilities and migrant
dormitories, transportation, cafeterias, workers (increased risk to contract
sanitary facilities or areas of circulation COVID-19 at work)
47
Adoption of OSH measures to prevent COVID-19 transmission in the

workplace
 Based on thorough OSH risk assessments
 Follow the hierarchy of controls
 Adapted to the hazards and risks encountered by the enterprise
 Reviewed and modified if necessary on a regular basis
 Comply with national laws and regulations
 Reflect good practice
 Consider the current state of knowledge

48
Addressing psychosocial risks during the COVID-19 pandemic
 Anxiety produced by the health risks of the coronavirus, uncertainty about how long the crisis will
last, the worry of possibly losing their jobs or being forced to close businesses, etc.
 Psychosocial hazards arising from radical changes in work organization, processes, and
conditions (including telework)
 For example: isolation, changes in workload and work pace, overlapping of professional and
family duties, violence and harassment, etc.

49
Support mechanisms for progressive improvement of OSH conditions in

MSMEs and the informal economy
 Particularly affected by the effects of the pandemic
 Lack the resources to invest in OSH
 Many workers in these sectors are already at higher risk for accidents or
diseases in the workplace
 Need for special initiatives, for example

 Strengthening partnerships with social partners and other strategic actors
(e.g., public health care systems, social security institutions, NGOs,
education institutions, etc.)
 Promoting mentorship by large companies and developing networks of
MSMEs
50
Incentives for promoting compliance among employers

 The COVID-19 crisis has been challenging for employers as they need to
invest resources in OSH (new measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19
transmission and to address other emerging risks) while facing the
economic effects of the pandemic on revenue
 Economic incentives (tax incentives, insurance-related incentives, matching
funds and non-financial incentives, such as recognition and awards)
 Strategy for motivating employers to invest in prevention work in OSH
In the Philippines, the government created a “COVID-19 Response Award”

for employers who successfully stopped the spread of the virus in their
workplaces through OSH policies and programs. The criteria for this award
was drawn from the ILO Prevention and Mitigation of COVID-19 at Work
Action Checklist
Looking forward:
Resilient OSH
systems to face
the next crisis
52
Recent crises (explosion in Beirut, natural disasters, public health threats) have all tested
the strength of crisis response systems
Investing to strengthen OSH systems will aid governments, employers and workers in
 responding to the current pandemic
 safeguarding health in the workplace
 recovering faster by avoiding further contagion
Building up these resilient systems will also provide a foundation to respond to other
unforeseen events and crises that may occur in the future

53
ILO tools to protect workers’ safety

and health during COVID-19 crisis
 Prevention and Mitigation of COVID-19 at Work: Action checklist (April 2020)
 In the face of a pandemic: Ensuring Safety and Health at Work – World Day for Safety and Health at Work
Report (April 2020)
 A safe and healthy return to work during the COVID-19 pandemic – Policy Brief (May 2020)
 A Safe Return to Work: Ten Action Points (May 2020)
 Managing work-related psychosocial risks during the COVID-19 pandemic – Guide (June 2020)
 Practical Guide on Teleworking during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond (July 2020)
 COVID-19 and health facilities: Checklist of measures to be taken in health facilities (July 2020)
 Hand hygiene at the workplace: an essential occupational safety and health prevention and control measu
re against COVID-19
– Briefing Note (September 2020)
 Prevention and mitigation of COVID-19 at work for small and medium-sized enterprises: Action Checklist
(August 2020)
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Anticipate, prepare and

Date: Monday / 01 / October / 2019

The COVID-19 pandemic:

The COVID-19 pandemic: a crisis for safety and health at work

Basic OSH rights and responsibilities

Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155), and

Advancing social justice, promoting decent work

Occupational Health Services Convention, 1985 (No. 161) and

 Critical role during health crises

Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention,

Strengthening effective national OSH policies and regulatory frameworks

appropriate emergency responses specific guidance

Advancing social justice, promoting decent work

Basic OSH rights and responsibilities

Advancing social justice, promoting decent work

Recognition of occupational accidents and diseases

Advancing social justice, promoting decent work

New legal requirements to prevent the spread of the virus in the

Advancing social justice, promoting decent work