Learning OSH in a fun and creative way with OSHNopoly

The ILO in collaboration with the Ministry of Manpower and other social partners is going to launch the Indonesian version of the new occupational safety and health (OSH) board game named OSHNopoly in end of June in Jakarta. Inspired by the classic board game Monopoly, the OSHNopoly is aimed to raise OSH awareness in a fun and creative way.

Young workers tried out the OSHNopoly with learn OSH with joy The game was initiated by youth champions participating in the SafeYouth@Work Congress in Singapore in 2017. A select group of 124 youth champions were chosen from 29 countries to participate in the Congress, bringing their voice to the World Congress, prototyping their own solutions to OSH challenges facing youth in the world of work, and establishing a new international network for youth OSH.

I never imagine that learning about OSH can be fun and enjoyable. This kind of game make young workers, like us, easily understand hazards and dangers at the workplaces."

Shifa Nurul Azmi, 22 years old, a young worker who is also a young unionist from the Indonesian Trade Union Confederation (KSPI)

In the game session of OSHNopoly, players are introduced to concepts and practical information regarding risks, hazards and preventive efforts. Players also compete to eliminate dangers that they face and have by answering questions, carrying out challenges and following the instructions on the cards.

The ILO through its Youth4OSH Project has been conducting a series of try out sessions of the OSHNopoly involving young workers prior and after the launch from May to July 2019. The sessions involve youth, young workers, young unionists and youth champions from various organizations. They have been introduced to the board game and have enjoyed the game sessions in which each group consisted of participants from diverse organizational backgrounds.

Joy filled the meeting room of one of the try sessions conducted in May when some players had to sing or to do a speech when they entered the “safe jam” box. They also answered the questions out loud, trying to reduce or eliminate the danger they face or have.

"I never imagine that learning about OSH can be fun and enjoyable. This kind of game make young workers, like us, easily understand hazards and dangers at the workplaces,” told Shifa Nurul Azmi, 22 years old, a young worker who is also a young unionist from the Indonesian Trade Union Confederation (KSPI).

Similar impressions were also shared by other young workers: Dini Rahmawati and Alif Ridhowi, both 22 years old, who were also representing the All Indonesian Workers Union Confederation-CAITU (KSPSI-CAITU) and the Confederation of Indonesian Prosperity Labour Union (KSBSI), respectively. “This game can encourage young workers to learn more about OSH," said Dini, while Alif added that “young workers do need this kind of fun and creative OSH training and knowledge.”

Learning OSH in fun and creative way is important to attract the interests of youth in general and young workers specifically to OSH. It is hoped that OSH activities like this can help reducing the number of accidents and occupational diseases at the workplaces that, in turn, will increase productivity."

Abdul Hakim, the ILO’s officer for OSH

The try out session concluded with various proposals from the participating young workers. They all agreed that trade union confederations need to continuously conduct activities aimed to increase knowledge and application of OSH at home as well as at the workplace.

“Learning OSH in fun and creative way is important to attract the interests of youth in general and young workers specifically to OSH. It is hoped that OSH activities like this can help reducing the number of accidents and occupational diseases at the workplaces that, in turn, will increase productivity,” said Abdul Hakim, the ILO’s officer for OSH.

The ILO’s Youth4OSH programme aims to reduce workplace injuries, fatalities and occupational diseases through inculcating a preventive safety and health culture among young workers and young employers. The programme is supported by the US Council for International Business (USCIB).