Bahrain celebrates World Day for Safety and Health at Work with renewed safety optimism

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain's advanced national legislations and laws on protecting workers from all kinds of accidents, injuries and occupational diseases have contributed to the promotion of a safe work environment, Minister of Labour and Social Development and Chairman of the Occupational Safety and Health Council Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan has said.

Such an environment id one of the requirements for economic growth, and the government, headed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, takes an increasing interest in raising the level of occupational safety and health in various sites in a manner that protects the workforce from risks, accidents and injuries.

The minister was speaking as Bahrain joins the international community in marking World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2021.

Last year, there were 266 occupational accidents at work sites, down from 307 in 2020, a 13% decrease in occupational accidents, the minister said.

This is a reflection of the continuous national efforts to spread awareness of the importance of implementing safety and health requirements in all worksites, he added.

The ministry had inspected work sites that included 198,000 workers in the private sector to ensure compliance with the established requirements.

Humaidan stressed the importance of addressing the causes of occupational accidents, especially in the construction sector, to avoid their unfortunate occurrence. The sector has the largest percentage of occupational accidents and injuries.

The minister pointed out that strengthening proactive measures and monitoring occupational safety and health, the presence of supervisors at work sites, choosing the appropriate machines and the workers' commitment to using personal protective equipment is essential to prevent unfortunate occupational accidents.