MLSD Minister heads the Occupational Safety and Health Council .. Launching an inspection campaign targeting infection control for more than 400 work sites

10-03-2020

His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Chairman of the Occupational Safety and Health Council, Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, chaired the Council’s regular meeting at his office at the Ministry. The meeting was attended by Council members representing workers and employers, as well as other officials from various executive bodies in the Kingdom. During the meeting, the Council’s action plan was reviewed, with a notable focus on the launch of an inspection campaign targeting infection control at over 400 worksites in March 2020. The campaign will be implemented by the Ministry’s Occupational Safety and Inspection Directorate to verify the availability of occupational safety and health requirements in facilities. The Council’s action plan also addressed biological risks in the work environment, including combating viruses, fungi, and bacteria, as well as measures to prevent the transmission of infections among workers at worksites in private-sector companies and institutions. In this context, the Council discussed the preparation of a ministerial resolution to limit biological risks as a legislative tool aimed at protecting workers in various circumstances. The Council also discussed the development of a resolution to protect workers from the risks of lifting work and the licensing of inspectors and inspection bodies for such equipment, in addition to the licensing of pressure and steam vessels. The Council also discussed the implementation of necessary precautionary and preventive measures to protect against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) at various production sites, in addition to reviewing efforts to strengthen the principles of implementing occupational safety and health requirements and reducing work-related injuries and occupational diseases. In this context, Humaidan stressed that, in light of the tireless efforts made by the National Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus and in support of their noble endeavours to preserve the safety and health of all, a review was conducted of the precautionary and preventive measures taken by the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, in coordination with the Occupational Safety and Health Council, to urge private‑sector establishments to adhere to occupational safety and health requirements, to double preventive measures, and ensure maximum protection for workers from various workplace hazards. Humaidan stressed that, as part of efforts to promote a safe and secure work environment free from various contagious and infectious diseases and address various health challenges, the Council will begin drafting a ministerial resolution establishing new legal frameworks to mitigate biological risks in the workplace. He noted that this legislative approach aims to enhance the protection of the workforce and protect the workplace from the risks of infectious and biological diseases in particular. His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development stressed the need to ensure that worksites are free of biological and other occupational hazards. He pointed out in this context the measures taken by the Ministry of Labour and Social Development through its meetings with representatives of foreign labour embassies and informing them of the required preventive measures to preserve the safety and health of all. He also pointed out that the Ministry conducted field inspection visits to workers’ accommodation and distributed leaflets and posters informing them of the dangers of the Coronavirus and how to take preventive precautions. In cooperation with the Ministry of Health, relevant banners and advertisements were placed in several languages, including those targeted at expatriate workers, near workers' accommodations and industrial areas. He also noted that the Ministry communicated with foreign workers through text messages, disseminating the latest developments and measures required to protect them, prevent the spread of the virus, and contain it by allocating a medical centre and qualified medical staff.