Speaking during a five day capacity building training of OSH inspectors on the usage of the Occupational hygiene Monitoring equipment in Lilongwe, the Labour Commissioner, Hlalerwayo Kelvin Nyangulu, said that the training will help to address knowledge gaps and enable Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) inspectors to measure hazards such as noise pollution, light, and dust, all of which can pose huge threats in the workplace environment.
“As a ministry, our inspectors have enough theoretical knowledge on occupational hygiene monitoring, what we have been lacking is the equipment and practical knowledge on how to use the equipment to detect workplace hazards.”
The training was organised by the EU funded Zantchito Skills for Jobs Programme in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour as a response to a training needs assessment that was conducted coupled with a technical field assessment of OSH inspections that revealed a need for training in occupational hygiene monitoring.
As part of a response to the capacity building training gap amongst the OSH inspectors the Zantchito skills for jobs programme purchased six different types of occupational hygiene equipment and one process safety equipment. “This specialized equipment demands adequate technical knowhow and practical skills for OSH inspectors to be able to effectively utilize it in carrying out environmental monitoring in the workplaces environment.” said Mandowa the EU OSH expert.
The procured equipment includes Digital Light Meter with Remote Sensor, Direct Reading Instrument, Personal Noise dosimeter, Human vibrating meter, Ultrasonic Flaw Detector and Vane thermoanemometer and Hot wire anemometer
Whilst addressing participants, Johanes Mandowa highlighted the national significance of the training as it has a direct impact on transforming OSH delivery in Malawi. “The procured equipment and the training will ensure the protection of the most important resource, the worker who is indispensable in the equation to attain sustainable economic development and the developmental milestones of Malawi 2063.” He said.
The training was held at Sigelege Hotel in Lilongwe from 25th to 29th November 2024 under the theme “Promoting Effective OSH Inspections: Towards Vision Zero”. The theme demonstrates the EU’s commitment to the global drive to promote the attainment of zero harm at workplaces through effective OSH inspections.
This is in line with ILO’s “Decent Work, Safe Work” programme which entrusts labour inspection and its social partners with new roles and responsibilities earmarked to improve working conditions and guarantee the creation of decent working conditions through the execution of effective OSH inspections.
Mandowa, also emphasised that a safe and healthy work environment is crucial for productivity. According to Mandowa, workers who are safe and healthy are more productive than those who are not.
The European Union is supporting the Government of Malawi’s Ministry of Labour through the EU funded Zantchito Skills for Jobs Programme to create an enabling business environment for Micro Small to Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and strengthen labour laws for the attainment of decent jobs and sustainable economic development.
