Qatar- Occupational Safety and Health Conference held

(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Launching of Occupational Safety and Health Conference for the month of March was held yesterday under the title 'Working together for occupational safety and health.
The conference was organised under the patronage of the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), and in co-operation with the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs in addition to the support of the International Labour
Organisation (ILO).
The events pertain to the field of occupational health and safety in both governmental and
private sectors.
HE the Assistant Minister of Health Affairs at MoPH, Dr Saleh al-Marri, said that Qatar pays a great attention to employee's health and safety.
He noted that 'healthy and safe employees have been chosen to be one of the seven priority population groups in the National Health Strategy 2018-2022, to develop a better understanding of occupational health in Qatar and promote healthy lifestyles for employees.
Dr al-Marri stressed the importance of acting in a proactive manner to maintain employees' health at work and delivering the necessary services for employees to maintain their physical and psychological wellness.
He valued the great efforts on the establishment of a working group which involves key stakeholders in order to unite their efforts to improve occupational health and safety in Qatar as well as to take a step forward in implementing the plans of the National Health Strategy related to employees and build health and safety education in workplaces.
Mohammed Hassan al-Obaidly, assistant undersecretary at the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs, confirmed that celebrating the launching of ‘occupational safety and health month' and the related activities, contribute to raising the employees' awareness in all sectors towards occupational safety and health and promote prevention of occupational accidents and diseases.
He pointed out that the MoPH, and the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs have set goals for co-operation between them that include; setting a unified data base for work-related traumatic injuries, fatalities, and occupational illnesses, in addition to policies, strategies and comprehensive plans for occupational safety and health in order to reduce work-related traumatic fatalities and accidents. These procedures will ensure that all institutions will comply with the rules and provisions stipulated in the laws and regulations which regulate occupational safety and health in Qatar.
Dr Asma al-Nuaimi, a National Leader in the National Health Strategy, made a presentation on the priority of 'healthy and safe employees in the National Health Strategy.
She highlighted the great efforts of the task forces to improve the health and safety of employees, some local and international indicators, and main findings of the primary survey of occupational safety and health.
She explained that the priority of 'healthy and safe employees is based on seven initiatives in the National Health Strategy. The key members will lead each of these initiatives considering the most important elements of health and safety such as data, regulations, awareness of the workforce and tools of workers. She mentioned that they will pay special attention to the most vulnerable workers like craftsmen.
Houtan Homayounpour, director, ILO office in Qatar, said, 'The ILO is happy to support the joint efforts of the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Public Health, and other national stakeholders to develop a national policy on OSH with the aim to prevent occupational accidents and injuries. It is not only the adoption of a policy that is important, but also the process of its formulation, and its subsequent implementation and periodic review. This collaboration is the engine driving forward efforts to create a safe and healthy working environment for all workers across Qatar.
During the conference, a panel discussion took place under the title (A joint effort between various sectors to enhance occupational health and safety in Qatar 'healthy and safe employees) with the participation of consultative members from the National Health Strategy's priority population group 'Healthy and Safe Employees, from related entities.
The panel discussed several key topics including priority planning 'Healthy and Safe employees and 2022 FIFA World Cup, prevention and well-being, occupational health and safety management system/ policy and guidelines, integrated care of skilled workers and craft workers, in addition to engaging employers and their commitment, and furthering the knowledge and behaviour of the workforce.
The celebration of the Occupational Safety and Health month will continue throughout the month. (QNA)

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