The government department tasked with promoting occupational safety at work places wants more employers to take up occupational safety and health administration training.
Lauding the Standard Group PLC, the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), which falls under the Ministry of Labour and Human Resource Development, urged all employers to embrace the approved occupational safety measures in the interest of their employees.
DOSH manages Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) but is also charged with the collection and maintenance of a database, analysis and investigation of occupational accidents plus dangerous occurrences.
It assists victims who have suffered injuries, accidents and any other form of incidents to seek redress.
According to the United Nations and the International Labour Organisation, it is estimated that 7,500 people die everyday in occupational safety related incidents.
“More than 72,000 companies have been approved. Among them is the Standard Media Group,’’ DOSH deputy director Andrew Muruka told Sunday Standard.
The head of OSHA at Standard Group, Benjamin Masai, says the company adopted OSHA not only for legal reasons but to ensure safety and health of employees.
“It is much more than just about the legal requirement due on us. We realise that we spent more time at the work place than any other place. It is only fair that we do everything possible to make it easy and safe for all of us to work here,” Masai says.
He notes the reduction of incidences in the workplace through cooperation of the employees and support of the management.
Masai said OSHA is dealing with issues arising from sitting positions, machinery related risks, transport, electrical and noise hazards to dust-related issues.
“Dust from newspapers is very fine and we are taking measures to arrest the situation,” he said.
Muruka also commended the organisations which have taken up OSHA. He said challenges continued to abound such as ignorance among workers.
The DOSH deputy director called for concerted efforts to improve the safety and health of workers.
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The Standard Group Plc is a
multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper
print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key
influence in matters of national and international interest.
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