Online Reporter
Disability Issues-Dr Christine Peta
Workplace safety discussions often focus on hazards such as machinery accidents, chemical exposure or long working hours.
YET, for the 1,3 billion persons with disabilities worldwide — 2,5 million of whom are in Zimbabwe — safety and health at work carry additional layers of complexity.
Persons with disabilities face barriers ranging from inaccessible infrastructure and inadequate protective equipment to discriminatory attitudes that exclude them from decision-making about occupational safety and health (OSH).
On April 28, Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world in commemorating the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, a day dedicated to raising awareness on the importance of safe, healthy and dignified working conditions.
The principle of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — to leave no one behind — cannot be achieved if workers with disabilities are excluded from OSH systems.
Inclusion is not charity; it is a matter of rights, equity and productivity.
For many workers with disabilities, the workplace itself can be a source of risk.
Consider the following:
Physical accessibility: Factories, offices and construction sites often do not have ramps, lifts or adapted workstations, increasing the risk of accidents.
Protective equipment: Safety gear is rarely designed with disability in mind. A worker with physical disabilities may struggle to use standard protective clothing or helmets.
Emergency preparedness: Evacuation plans often fail to account for workers with physical disabilities, including wheelchair users or those who are deaf or blind, leaving them vulnerable in crises.
A truly safe workplace is one where everyone can participate fully and securely. Research shows that inclusive workplaces are more productive, innovative and resilient.
When workers with disabilities are provided with accessible tools, training and safety measures, they contribute significantly to organisational success.
Conversely, exclusion leads to lost talent, higher turnover and reputational damage.
So, how can workplaces ensure safety and health for workers with disabilities? Several strategies stand out:
Universal design: Adopt universal design principles to ensure infrastructure, tools and safety equipment are accessible to all workers.
Inclusive training: Adapt safety training to diverse needs — using sign language, braille or simplified formats where necessary.
Representation: Include workers with disabilities in OSH committees and decision-making bodies. Their lived experience is invaluable in identifying risks and solutions.
Policy integration: Integrate disability into OSH policies, inspections and reporting systems.
Technology and innovation: Use assistive technologies, from screen readers to adapted machinery, to bridge gaps in safety and productivity.
Examples already exist across Africa.
In Kenya, garment factories have introduced adapted sewing machines and ergonomic workstations for workers with mobility impairments.
In South Africa, mining companies are piloting inclusive evacuation drills that account for workers with sensory disabilities.
Back home, the National Business and Disability Network (NBDN) was established in 2024, bringing together diverse stakeholders — including organisations of persons with disabilities — to promote accessible and safe working environments.
The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is a call to action.
The International Labour Organisation emphasises that safe and healthy work is a fundamental human right.
Imagine a workplace where every worker, regardless of ability, has equal access to safety equipment, training and emergency support. Imagine OSH committees where persons with disabilities co-lead discussions, shaping policies that reflect diverse realities.
Imagine pilot projects that prove disability-inclusive safety practices strengthen not only individual well-being but also organisational resilience and national development.
By embedding disability inclusion into OSH systems, we uphold human rights, strengthen economies and honour the SDG principle of leaving no one behind.
The challenge is clear, but so is the opportunity: to build workplaces that are not only safe and healthy, but also just, inclusive and resilient for all.
Safety is not safety if it excludes others.
Health is not health if it ignores disability.
And work is not dignified if persons with disabilities are left behind in OSH systems.
Dr Christine Peta is a disability, public health, policy, international development and research expert. She can be contacted on: [email protected]
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