Participants

Today, 7th October, 2019 Rwanda hosts the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee meeting on Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS). This meeting brings together experts from various countries from all over the world who are member of the ISO/TC 283 on Occupational Health and Safety; and aims to discuss relevant documents to support implementation of ISO 45001:2018 standard.

DG Raymond Murenzi at the ISO/TC 283 meeting
In his welcome remarks, Mr Raymond MURENZI Director General of Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) stated:
“Rwanda Standards Board welcomes all Participants to the Country of a thousand Hills. Hosting this meeting is an opportunity for Rwanda and Rwanda Standards Board in particular to acquire experience in proceedings of the ISO/ TC meetings which will help in preparation for upcoming ISO TC meetings including ISO TC 176. We are grateful to all participants and more specifically International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for having full-heartedly supported all preparations of the meeting.  This meeting was preceded by a two-day training workshop which brought together around 40 participants from 23 African countries. Prior to this important event, and in the framework of celebrating the World Standards Day 2019, RSB team in collaboration with different stakeholders held an awareness tour where different industries were visited and advised on the implementation of the 45001”.

While officiating the opening of the ISO/TC 283 meeting, Mr Michel MINEGA SEBERA Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Industry noted that that Rwanda joined the global community in 1962 as a member of International Labour Organization (ILO) and has ratified around 34 conventions related to labour including the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention. He emphasized that the country will continually vest more effort in ensuring that the workplace enjoys healthy and safe workforce.

Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Trade and Industry officiated the opening of ISO/TC 283

Health and safety in the workplace are the number one concern of most businesses, yet still deaths and injuries occur. ISO 45001 sets the minimum standard of practice to protect employees worldwide.

Mr Martin Cottam, the ISO/TC 283 Chairperson remarked that with Occupational Health and Safety becoming a global concern, the Technical Committee is committed to developing supplementary documents that will ease implementation of ISO 45001 in all parts of the world. He recalled that this meeting will be an opportunity to share experiences from different parts and build on them to come up with measures that are need to promote workplace health and safety around the globe.

 
TC Chairman addressing the meeting
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), there are currently more than 2.78 million deaths a year because of occupational accidents or work-related diseases, in addition to 374 million non-fatal injuries and illnesses. Aside from the enormous impact on families and communities, the cost to business and economies is significant. To help organizations reduce work-related accidents, injuries and diseases, ISO developed the world’s first International Standard for occupational health and safety (OH&S). ISO 45001, Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use. The standard provides a framework to increase safety, reduce workplace risks and enhance health and well-being at work, enabling an organization to proactively improve its OH&S performance.