From 5th to 11th October 2019, Rwanda will host the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee meeting on Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) to discuss relevant documents aimed for implementation of ISO 45001:2018 standard. This meeting will bring together experts from all over the world who are member of the ISO/TC 283 on Occupational Health and Safety.

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.
ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is an independent, non-governmental organization with a membership of 162 national standards bodies. Through its members, ISO brings together experts to share knowledge and develop voluntary, consensus-based, market-relevant International Standards that support innovation and provide solutions to global challenges. ISO has published more than 22 000* International Standards and related documents covering almost every industry, from technology to food safety, to agriculture and healthcare.

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.

Key activities related to the ISO/TC 283 meeting are scheduled as follows:

• From 30th September 2019 to 4th October 2019, Rwanda Standards Board(RSB) and the Ministry of Public Service and Labour (MIFOTRA) are conducting a nationwide awareness campaign on Occupational Health and Safety, bringing together stakeholders in various fields
• From 5th-6th October, 2019 ISO will deliver training on ISO 45001 to participants from more than 30 African Countries. Training will take place at Park Inn by Radisson Blu Hotel, Kigali
• From 7th-11th October, 2019 the ISO/TC 283 meetings will take place at Radisson Blu Hotel, Kigali Convention Centre.
• On 11th October, 2019 National Stakeholders’ Workshop on Occupational Health and Safety, at Radisson Blu Hotel, Kigali Convention Centre.