Thursday 15 March 2012 offered the thematic frame for presentations on efficient prevention and models of good practice, titled “Our Vision: A Safe and Healthy Future at Work Prevention – National Strategies – Programmes for Safety and Health”.
ISSA Mining General Secretary Helmut Ehnes opened the first session with his talk “Reporting and Prevention – Essentials for a Successful Strategy to Improve Safety and Health”, showing how data on accidents at work and occupational diseases can be comprehensively collected and analyzed to derive prevention measures to the highest effect. Asian experiences were shared by Ha Tat Thang, Director General of the Bureau of SafeWork, Vietnam. ILO Senior Specialist Ingrid Christensen explained prevention in high risk sectors in ASEAN countries. ISSA Mining members Jochen Lau (German Road Safety Council) and Wolfgang Freiherr von Richthofen, IALI Technical Advisor and International Consultant on Labour Inspection/Protection followed, discussing road and transportation safety as well as integration as a deciding factor on OSH success.
The German National OSH Strategy was explained by Ulrich Meesmann, Executive Manager of BG RCI, showing how all stakeholders can unite labour inspection resources to maximize the outcome . Prof Oliver Kruse of the Federal German Bank explained systematic risk management and the interaction between OSH and economic benefits for operators. Balancing the business outcome and health was also discussed from first hand business experience by Dr Gunther Baldermann, Manager Safety and Health of lignite coal producer MIBRAG.
Prof Dr Mathias Bauer and Jan Schiffer of CBM Consulting, Business and Management Germany gave insight into increasing productivity basing on well-organized occupational safety and health, followed by information on effective change management from the safety point of view by Swiss expert Mark Füllemann, looking back on decades of industry experience in safety and health.
The conference’s second day dealt with “Labor inspection and compliance with labour law and social standards – promotion of decent work”. International senior labour inspectors and executives of regulating and supervising bodies discussed experiences and strategies, also giving ISSA Mining’s Helmut Ehnes the platform to share BG RCI’s adapted strategy in the talk “Strengthening Advising Competence - A New Approach in Labour Inspector Training”.
As one of many outcomes, two important documents were issued as a consequence of the meeting: the Dong Nai action plan to implement the Ha Long recommendations on Labour Inspection Cooperation 2012-2015 and Recommendations towards better safety and health at work. These documents were circulated to ASEAN member states for comments and are to be presented at the ASEAN-OSHNET meeting in the Philippines following the Dong Nai conference.
On the basis of the long and trustful collaboration between ISSA Mining and Vietnam’s Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, both parties agreed to continue their intense cooperation and signed a Cooperation Agreement for the period 2012 – 2015 within the frame of the conference 15 March. Theodor Bülhoff, ISSA Mining and Bui Hong Linh, MoLISA stated they are looking optimistic into further joint work aiming to prevent accidents at work and occupational diseases in high-risk sectors, particularly the mining industry.
Wolfgang Freiherr von Richthofen, IALI Technical Advisor and International Consultant on Labour Inspection/Protection received MoLISA’s Medal for the Cause of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs during a festive act on the second congress day. Vietnam’s renowned recognition for outstanding achievements in occupational safety and health was presented by MoLISA Vice Minister Bui Hong Linh.
Consecutively to the conference, the international delegates joined the Launch of Vietnam’s 14th National Week for OSH and Fire/Explosion Prevention 18 March at the Bien Hoa Industrial Park, Dong Nai Province. The event aims to raise awareness for occupational safety and health and promotes safe working since 1999.
On this occasion, orders of merits have been given to workers, and rescue teams demonstrated fire fighting skills live.
ISSA Mining participated as a strategic partner of Vietnam’s government in matters of occupational safety and health.
Helmut Ehnes
Ulrich Meesmann
Helmut Ehnes