The Macedonian Occupational Safety and Health Association, within the framework of the project “Increasing capacities and strengthening of the role of the regional CSOs for improvement of the labor conditions and dialogue with public institutions”, from 12 to 14 th September, in Ohrid, held a training on basic safety and health at work, standards, labour conditions, advocacy & lobbying skills of representatives of CSOs and Public Institutions “.
Present at the event were representatives of civil society organizations that act outside and inside the field of OSH as well as media organizations.
At first, project manager Milan Petkovski, presented the vision of the project as well as the activities that are being realized.
As an introduction to the training the participants were asked the question – Are they know the meaning of safety and health at work. Most of them affirmatively answered on this question, which was a great start. The next question was whether they know someone in their surroundings who had an accident at work. Unfortunately, each of them had to share an accident caused at the workplace or an occupational disease.
The discussion immediately developed on this issue:
- How much the employer loses with each injury and how much he takes care of the safety and health at work of his workers
- The media insufficient publish OSH They more give attention on workplace accidents than on prevention.
- The society is failing. It does’t protect those who give added value.
- It is necessary to overcome the gap between all stakeholders in this area. We have to do certain things that will not be just a proforma. Not all industries are covered by the law on occupational safety and health (transport, agriculture, police) – were part of the thoughts of the present on the training.
Experts and themes:
- Károly György spoke about the role and function of the European Social Dialogue in the direction of improving the working conditions, creating a network of civil society organizations and their improvement. It also shared EU experiences in this view.
- Daniela Indova – domestic expert, spoke about the basic for safety and health at work, accidents at work, supervision and communication. On this topic, the participants had a practical exercise for recognizing the dangers and hazards of the workplace.
A problem that the participants pointed in this session is regarding the report of the injuries at the workplace. Unfortunately, workers are forced to not report the injuries as a injuries of the workplace, but caused at home. The employers need to take greater responsibility in relation to these occurrences.
- Mario Veljkovic, a regional expert, introduced the participants to the training with: strategic planning as part of the strategic management, way of lobbying and advocacy.
There are open questions, it is necessary to increase the participation of CSO’S which feel the problem related to safety and health at work. Institutional measures are not enough. Whenever you can share responsibility, but also resources, there are capacities of intellectually, but also on the physical level, this should be done. Cooperation between civil society and media organizations can bring a rapid spread of idea of the need for safety and health at work. Most often, concentration is in larger cities. People are making changes with their actions. I would also like to do this through your participation. – said Veljkovic.
- Bojan Kordalov – EU Media Expert, presented on: key principles for PR communication, cooperation and partnership between CSOs.
“If you have done perfectly campaigns, if the target group has nowhere to see, where to find more, then you wasted your time in vain. If you want to send the message, you must build relationships”.
- Tsvetomir Tsanev, representative of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, presented the campaign “Healthy workplaces for all ages”.
„Health in later periods of life is affected by working conditions in the initial periods of life. Throughout the working life, prevention of work-related accidents, health problems and diseases as a consequence of the working conditions”- said Tsanev.
Paul Eyre, a representative of the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, presented the campaign – No time to lose.
He noted that over 14,000 new cases of cervical cancer are registered every year, about 8,000 deaths a year are caused by cancer in the workplace. The aim of the campaign is to promote awareness-raising policies and encourage the reduction of exposure to carcinogens in the workplace, inviting organizations to devote themselves to the introduction of policies and practices to manage the risks associated with carcinogens in the workplace.
During the three-day training, the participants developed discussion and interactivity. The starting point for cooperation between the civil society organizations itself, as well as between the civic and media organizations, was developed.
