DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Current Status and the Future of Occupational Safety and Health Legislation in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

  • Ncube, France (Department of Environmental Science, Bindura University of Science Education) ;
  • Kanda, Artwell (Department of Environmental Science, Bindura University of Science Education)
  • Received : 2017.05.05
  • Accepted : 2018.01.28
  • Published : 2018.12.30

Abstract

This article addresses three key issues. First, the commonalities, differences, strengths, and limitations of existing occupational safety and health (OSH) legislation of low- and middle-income countries were determined. Second, required revisions were identified and discussed to strengthen the laws in accordance with the best international practice. Finally, proposals for additional OSH laws and interventions were suggested. A literature search of OSH laws of 10 selected low- and middle-income countries was carried out. The laws were subjected to uniform review criteria. Although the agricultural sector employs more than 70% of the population, most of the reviewed countries lack OSH legislation on the sector. Existing OSH laws are gender insensitive, fragmented among various government departments, insufficient, outdated, and nondeterrent to perpetrators and lack incentives for compliance. Conclusively, the legal frameworks require reformation and harmonization for the collective benefit to employees, employers, and regulatory authorities. New OSH legislation for the agricultural sector is required.

Keywords

References

  1. International Labour Organization. Convention concerning occupational health services. Geneva (Switzerland): ILO; 1985. Convention No.: 161.
  2. World Health Organization. Global plan of action on workers' health 2008-2017. Geneva (Switzerland): WHO; 2008.
  3. Mrema EJ, Ngowi AV, Mamuya SHD. Status of occupational health and safety and related challenges in expanding economy of Tanzania. Ann Glob Health 2015;81:538-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aogh.2015.08.021
  4. Nordberg E. Injuries as a public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa: epidemiology and prospects for control. East Afr Med J 2000;77:S1-43.
  5. Loewenson E. Assessment of the health impact of occupational risk in Africa: current situation and methodological issues. Epidemiology 1999;10:632-9. https://doi.org/10.1097/00001648-199909000-00033
  6. LaDou J. International occupational health. Int J Environ Health 2003;206:303-13. https://doi.org/10.1078/1438-4639-00226
  7. International Labour Organization. Improving safety and health at work through the decent work agenda. ILO. Available from: http://www.ilo.org/safework/projects/WCMS149466/langeen/index.htm.
  8. Moyo D, Zungu M, Kgalamono S, Mwila CD. Review of occupational health and safety organisation in expanding economies. Ann Glob Health 2015;81:495-502. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aogh.2015.07.002
  9. International Labour Organization. Manual 6: how to ratify & use ILO Convention No 184 on safety and health in agriculture. Employment Injury Benefits. ILO. Available from: http://www.iufdocuments.org/www/documents/How_to_use_ILC184.pdf.
  10. Lucchini RG, London L. Global occupational health: current challenges and the need for action. Ann Glob Health 2014;80:851-6.
  11. Jacobs DE, Forst L. Occupational safety, health and healthy housing: a review of opportunities and challenges. J Public Health Manage Prot 2017;23:e36-45. https://doi.org/10.1097/PHH.0000000000000633
  12. The United Republic of Tanzania. The occupational health and safety act. Da es Salaam (Tanzania): Government Printers; 2003. 83 p. Act No.: 5.
  13. Government of Botswana. Agrochemicals Act. Gaborone (Botswana): Government Printers; 1999. 12 p. Act No.: 18.
  14. Government of Zimbabwe. Factories and Works Act. Harare (Zimbabwe): Government Printers; 1948. 20 p. Act No.: 20.
  15. Government of Botswana. Mines, quarries, works and machinery regulations. Gaborone (Botswana): Government Printers; 1978. 197 p. Statutory Instrument No.: 127.
  16. Government of Botswana. Factories Act. Gaborone (Botswana): Government Printers; 1973. 35 p. Statutory Instrument No.: 31.
  17. Government of Uganda. The Mining Act. Kampala (Uganda): Government Printers; 2003. 61 p. Act No.: 9.
  18. Government of Ghana. Minerals and Mining Act. Accra (Ghana): Government Printers; 2006. 59 p. Act No.: 703.
  19. Government of Ghana. The Factories, Offices, & Shops Act. Accra (Ghana):Government Printers; 1970. 39 p. Act No.: 328.
  20. Government of Zimbabwe. Pneumoconiosis Act. Harare (Zimbabwe): Government Printers; 1971. 20 p. Act No.: 13.
  21. Government of Zimbabwe. Accident prevention and worker's compensation scheme. Harare (Zimbabwe): Government Printers; 1971. 50 p. Statutory Instrument No.: 68.
  22. The Republic of Kenya. The Factories Act. Nairobi (Kenya): Government Printers; 1951. 76 p. Act No.: 38.
  23. Government of India. Food safety and standards (Prohibition and restrictions on sales) regulations. New Delhi (India): Food Safety and Standards Authority; 2011. 7 p. Regulation No.: 2-15015/30/2010.
  24. Government of India. The Prevention of Food Adulteration Act. New Delhi (India): Food Safety and Standards Authority; 1954. 261 p.
  25. Government of India. Bio-medical Waste (management and handling) rules. New Delhi (India): Government Printers; 1998. 12 p. Regulation No.: S.O. 630 (E).
  26. Government of Zimbabwe. Public Health Act. Harare (Zimbabwe): Government Printers; 1924. 44 p. Act No.: 19.
  27. Government of Uganda. The Public Health Act. Kampala (Uganda): Government Printers; 1935. 58 p.
  28. Government of Malawi. Public Health Act. Lilongwe (Malawi): Government Printers; 1968. 65 p. Act No.: 1.
  29. Government of Ghana. Public Health Act. Accra (Ghana): Government Printers; 2012. 194 p. Act No. : 851.
  30. Republic of Zambia. Public Health Act. Lusaka (Zambia): Government Printers; 1930. 265 p. Act No.: 12.
  31. Republic of South Africa. National Health Act. Pretoria (South Africa): Government Printers; 2003. 42 p. Act No.: 61.
  32. Government of Botswana. Public Health Act. Gaborone (Botswana): Government Printers; 1971. 62 p. Act No.: 44.
  33. The Republic of Kenya. Public Health Act. Nairobi (Kenya): Government Printers; 2012. 249 p. Act No.: 12.
  34. The United Republic of Tanzania. Public Health Act. Da es Salaam (Tanzania): Government Printers; 2009. 105 p. Act No.: 1008.
  35. Government of Uganda. Occupational Safety and Health Act. Kampala (Uganda): Government Printers; 2006. 86 p. Act No.: 9.
  36. The Republic of Kenya. The Occupational Safety and Health Act. Nairobi (Kenya): Government Printers; 2007. 128 p. Act No.: 15.
  37. Republic of South Africa. Occupational Diseases in Mines and Works Act. Pretoria (South Africa): Government Printers; 2002. 3 p. Act No. :60.
  38. Government of Malawi. Occupational Safety, Health and Welfare Act. Lilongwe (Malawi): Government Printers; 1997. 51 p. Act No.: 21.
  39. The Republic of Kenya. Employment Act. Nairobi (Kenya): Government Printers; 2007. 31 p. Act No.: 1.
  40. Republic of South Africa. Occupational Health and Safety Act. Pretoria (South Africa): Government Printers; 1993. 27 p. Act No. : 85.
  41. Republic of South Africa. Mine Health and Safety Act. Pretoria (South Africa): Government Printers; 1996. 73 p. Act No.: 29.
  42. Government of Malawi. Employment Act. Lilongwe (Malawi): Government Printers; 2000. 36 p. Act No. : 6.
  43. Government of Ghana. Labour Act. Accra (Ghana): Government Printers; 2003. 69 p. Act No.: 651.
  44. Republic of Zambia. The Occupational Health and Safety Act. Lusaka (Zambia): Government Printers; 2010. 73 p. Act No.: 36.
  45. Government of the Republic of Zambia. The Factories Act. Lusaka (Zambia): Government Printers; 1966. 157 p. Act No.: 2.
  46. Government of the Republic of Zambia. The Pneumoconiosis Act. Lusaka (Zambia): Government Printers; 1950. 89 p. Act No.: 27.
  47. Government of Zimbabwe. Mines and Minerals Act. Harare (Zimbabwe): Government Printers; 1961. 170 p. Act No.: 38.
  48. Government of the Republic of Zambia. The mines and minerals development (prospecting, mining and milling of uranium ores and other radioactive mineral ores) regulations. Lusaka (Zambia): Government Printers; 2008. 30 p. Statutory Instrument No.: 85.
  49. The United Republic of Tanzania. The Mining Act. Da es Salaam (Tanzania): Government Printers; 1998. 205 p. Act No.: 15.
  50. The Republic of Kenya. The Work Injury Benefits Act. Nairobi (Kenya): Government Printers; 2007. 128 p.
  51. Government of Malawi. Workers Compensation Act. Lilongwe (Malawi): Government Printers; 2000. 59 p. Act No.: 999.
  52. Republic of South Africa. Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act. Pretoria (South Africa): Government Printers; 1993. 50 p. Act No.: 130.
  53. Government of Botswana. Workers compensation (forms) regulations. Gaborone (Botswana): Government Printers; 2001. 29 p. Statutory Instrument No.: 70.
  54. The United Republic of Tanzania. Workers Compensation Act. Da es Salaam (Tanzania): Government Printers; 2008. 55 p. Act No.: 20.
  55. Government of Uganda. Workers Compensation Act. Kampala (Uganda): Government Printers; 2000. 35 p. Act No.: 8.
  56. Government of Ghana. Workmen's Compensation Act. Accra (Ghana): Government Printers; 1987. 28 p. Act No.: 187.
  57. The United Republic of Tanzania. Employment and Labour Relations Act. Da es Salaam (Tanzania): Government Printers; 2004. 84 p. Act No.: 6.
  58. Government of Zimbabwe. Factories and works (building, structural and excavation work) regulations. Harare (Zimbabwe): Government Printers; 1976. 9 p. Regulations No.: 264.
  59. Government of Zimbabwe. Factories and works (electrical) regulations. Harare (Zimbabwe): Government Printers; 1976. 5 p. Regulations No.: 304.
  60. Government of Zimbabwe. Factories and works (machinery) regulations. Harare (Zimbabwe): Government Printers; 1976. 17 p. Regulations No.: 302.
  61. Government of Zimbabwe. Factories and works (pressure-vessel) regulations. Harare (Zimbabwe): Government Printers; 1976. 7 p. Regulations No.: 303.
  62. Government of Zimbabwe. Factories and works (boiler) regulations. Harare (Zimbabwe): Government Printers; 1976. 14 p. Regulations No.: 279.
  63. Ncube F, Ncube EJ, Voyi K. A systematic critical review of epidemiological studies on public health concerns of municipal solid waste handling. Perspect Public Health 2017;137:102-8. https://doi.org/10.1177/1757913916639077
  64. International Labour Organization. Employment injury benefits. (Switzerland) Geneva: ILO; 1964. Convention No.: 121.
  65. International Labour Organization. Discrimination: employment and occupation. (Switzerland) Geneva: ILO; 1958. Convention No.: 111.
  66. United Nations. Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. (Switzerland) Geneva: UN; 1979.
  67. United Nations. Universal declaration of human rights. Geneva (Switzerland): UN; 1948. Report No.: 217.
  68. International Labour Organization. Decent work. Geneva (Switzerland): ILO; 1999.
  69. African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights. Protocol to the African charter on human and peoples' rights on the rights of women in Africa. Maputo (Mozambique): ACHPR; 2000. Report No.: CAB/LEG/66.6.
  70. African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights. African charter on human and peoples' rights. Banjul (Gambia): ACHPR; 1981. 18 p. Report No. : CAB/LEG/67/.3.
  71. Mbewe B. Malawi country profile on occupational safety and health; 2009. Available from: http://www.ilo.org/safework/countries/africa/malawi/WCMS_187633/langeen/index.htm.
  72. Government of Zimbabwe. Constitution of Zimbabwe. Harare (Zimbabwe): Government Printers; 2013. 151 p. Act No.: 20.
  73. The Republic of Kenya. The constitution of Kenya. Nairobi (Kenya): Government Printers; 2010. 199 p.
  74. The United Republic of Tanzania. The constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania. Da es Salaam (Tanzania): Government Printers; 1977. 91 p. Amendment No.: 14.
  75. The New York Times. W.H.O.'s identity crisis; 2017. Available from: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/29/opinion/who-world-health-organization.html?_r-0.
  76. Dhatt R, Kickbusch I, Thompson K. Act now: a call to action for gender equality in global health. Lancet 2017;389:602.

Cited by

  1. A critical analysis of the current South African occupational health law and hearing loss vol.67, pp.2, 2020, https://doi.org/10.4102/sajcd.v67i2.694
  2. A World of False Promises: International Labour Organization, World Health Organization, and the Plea of Workers Under Neoliberalism vol.50, pp.3, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1177/0020731420917912
  3. Accessing Occupational Health Services in the Southern African Development Community Region vol.17, pp.18, 2018, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186767
  4. Tuberculosis and Other Airborne Microbes in Occupational Health and Safety vol.17, pp.19, 2020, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17197088
  5. Standing working posture and musculoskeletal pain among Citrus sinensis workers in a low-income country vol.27, pp.1, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2018.1544799
  6. Farmer Discussion Groups Create Space for Peer Learning about Safety and Health vol.26, pp.2, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1080/1059924x.2020.1720882
  7. Research trends in occupational health and social responsibility: A bibliometric analysis vol.137, pp.None, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2021.105167