Labour:  Labour ministry’s assessment has found that safety at workplaces has improved considerably.

The ministry assessed 26 organisations out of 55 organisations. The organisations scored more than 70 percent, which is standard safety requirement.

In 2015, only 10 companies in the country were found to have adequate safety.

This was declared while observing the “World Day for Safety and Health at Work” yesterday in Phuentsholing on the theme “Workplace Stress: A collective challenge.”

Phuentsholing had the highest number of participation with 32 ornagisations. Thimphu had 10, Gelephu 10, and six from Samdrupjongkhar.

Participants also increased this year. Last year, there were 37 organisations participated. Organisation scoring more than 70 percent has also increased by 10 percent.

Labour director Sonam Wangdi urged the participants to consider safety and health at workplace, including better environment to work.

“Your improvement is our achievement,” the director said.

Sonam Wangdi said that the ministry has the record of 34 work-related injuries from June 2014. The number, he said, is huge. “Despite our efforts, work-related injuries are still occurring. Some go unreported.”

Such occurrences, Sonam Wangdi said, occur because of negligence. It happens when organisations do not have simple safety gears and drills.

Use of personal protective equipment at workplaces has also increased to 78.2 percent this year from 64.9 percent last year. Organisations were found maintaining Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Policy,committee and safety officers, among others.

Evaluation and certification is aimed at creating awareness in workplaces through encouragement and recognition.

Labour ministry will also recognise the best three organisations starting next year. Certificates and awards would be provided.

A participant said that ministry must be strict so that the safety standards are qualitative.

Rajesh Rai | Phuentsholing

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