ISO/PC283 Chair and Members at the workshop

After approval of the ISO 45001: 2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) standard in March 2018, today in Kigali-Rwanda, Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Service organized an awareness workshop based on ISO 45001:2018 standard. The workshop has brought together employers and staff in charge of occupational health and safety at workplaces in public and private organizations and was co-facilitated in collaboration with the International Organization for Standardization Project Committee (ISO/PC) 283 to discuss the new ISO 45001:2018 standard and the benefits associated with its implementation.

Some of the participants

Participants

In his remarks, Mr Raymond Murenzi the Director General of Rwanda Standards Board appreciated the ISO /PC 283 support to raise awareness on the standard; and acknowledged the benefits RSB got from ISO-initiated twinning with the Swedish Institute of Standards (SIS) on capacity building of RSB staff to provide secretarial support to the ISO/PC 283 throughout the development of the ISO 45001 standard. He emphasized that the standard will be important in curbing risks associated with occupational health and safety. 

Mr Raymond Murenzi, RSB Director General

Murenzi appreciates the leadership of the Ministry of Public Service and Labour in collecting inputs that formed the opinions to the standard developers; as well as collabotationamong national stakeholders who were part of the National Mirror Committee, as their active participation voiced the country opinion in the standard development.

Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Public Service and Labour, Mr Patrick Kananga who also chaired the National Mirror Committee that actively provided inputs through opinions shared with the ISO/PC 283, in the development argued that the standard is an opportunity to shape the way for implementation of existing Labour Laws and Orders. He added that Rwanda has put in place labour laws and regulations that promote workforce health and safety but the standard embodies more information to guide implementation of those laws and regulations. He informed that the Ministry commends the country’s efforts in participating in the development of this International Standard; and calls organizations to implement it.

Mr Patrick Kananga, OHS Specialist at the Ministry of Public Service at Labour

Mr. David A. Smith, Chairman of ISO/PC 283 noted that the standard on Occupational Health and Safety Management System can be implemented by all organizations from manufacturing, mining,  to services sectors, irrespective of the nature of the work or its size.

Mr David A. Smith, ISO/PC283 Chairman addressing the media

OHSMS is a set of plans, actions and procedures that assist an organisation to systematically manage staff health and safety risks associated with the institution’s day to day business. Its overall aim is to continuously improve Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) performance through the effective management of OHS risks and hazards in the workplace.

Group photo: OHS National Mirror Committee and ISO/PC 283 Members