Occupational Safety Conference aims to reduce workplace accidents and economic losses

By Poojathmi Rivithma

Colombo, Feb. 10 (Daily Mirror) - An Occupational Safety Conference is being held with the objective of preventing workplace accidents and occupational diseases, which are estimated to cost nearly four percent of the national economy, while promoting higher productivity and safer, healthier working environments.

Labour Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando said the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) continues to play a key role in strengthening occupational safety and health standards across all workplaces, including factories and construction sites throughout the island.

He said NIOSH conducts short-term awareness programmes to improve occupational safety and health knowledge among employers and employees, while also carrying out workplace audits and issuing risk assessment reports as part of its ongoing efforts.

In addition, the Institute offers certificate courses (NVQ Level 04), diploma programmes (NVQ Level 05), and advanced diploma courses (NVQ Level 06) in occupational safety and health to produce qualified and competent safety officers for the industrial sector.

The conference, organised by NIOSH with financial support from the private sector, aims to strengthen cooperation and mutual understanding between employers and employees in the industrial sector.

According to the organisers, the broader objective of the programme is to raise public awareness and encourage national dialogue on occupational safety and health, thereby fostering a strong safety culture in workplaces across the country.

NIOSH has also outlined a series of short-term and long-term initiatives aligned with this objective to further enhance occupational safety and health standards in Sri Lanka.