Work-related accidents claim 68 lives

to work related causes.

Minister Mpariwa said such statistics were unacceptable.
“In an economy operating at below half its capacity, the continued upward trend in accidents statistics is unacceptable. We cannot reach sustainable economic growth when the most important cog in the wheel, the worker, is sick, bleeding, hungry, angry and maladapted or stressed up.

“It is imperative to note that improvement of safety and health performance at work is quite pertinent not only in human terms through the reduction of workers’ deaths, diseases, pain and suffering but also as a way of ensuring that businesses are successful, sustainable and profitable,” she said.

Minister Mpariwa said reported work related accidents also rose from last year’s 2 605 to 3 258 this year.
She encouraged the integration of HIV and Aids-related issues in health, safety and environment issues.
“According to the International Labour Organisation, nine out of 10 people living with HIV and Aids are of working age. Accordingly relative issues should be an integral part of well managed occupational safety and health programmes at the workplaces,” she said.

Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe director Mr Procter Utete said the delays in new legislation were the chief cause of accidents.
“The time lag between drafting of new traffic laws and statutes and their implementation has been the greatest undoing in the country.

“On average it takes not less than two years from drafting to implementation hence practitioners are less encouraged to deal with road safety via the legislative route,” he said.

Employers’ Confederation of Zimbabwe national director Mr John Mufukari, urged Zimbabweans to become innovative in order to solve some of the problems they faced.
“Government cannot spoon-feed us, we have to recognise opportunities staring us in our faces and do something about them,” he said.

According to the ILO an estimated two million people worldwide die annually as a result of occupational accidents and work-related illnesses. The three-day conference is being held under the theme Occupational Safety and Health, an Investment for Sustainable Economic Growth.