The overall ambition of SAMAT is to improve the general Occupational Safety and Health (OHS) situation in the sub-region. SAMAT is seeking to achieve this goal by focusing on the following areas of intervention:

• Strengthening the capacities of the Constituents to address issues related to OHS in a tripartite manner and enabling the countries in the sub-region to properly carry out general inspections, specialized inspections, hoist and lifts inceptions, investigations of accidents and a compilation of data occupational safety health and other activities.

• Advise and assist member states regarding the development in the formulation of policies and the promotion and establishment of services in the field of safety, health and working conditions.

• Develop and monitor technical cooperation projects in the field of safety, health and working conditions. Collaborate with National Authorities in drafting National Policies, National legislation, regulations pertaining to Occupational Safety and Health.

• Promote for ratification and implementation of International Labour Standards Occupational Health and Safety.

Special attention is given to the degree of protection afforded to workers in hazardous occupations such as mining, chemical and construction. Today much can be done to improve the well being of workers faced with various occupational hazards. SAMAT is encouraging and supporting Governments, Employers' and Workers' organizations to jointly establishing occupational health services, both at national and enterprise level, and SAMAT is supporting this initiative through education and training activities in occupational safety and health in all countries in the sub-region. Programs aimed at strengthening center for information services (CIS) on occupational safety and health is also being carried out in the member states.

At the same time SAMAT is addressing the serious problems facing the agricultural workers – unguarded and unprotected equipment, excessive working hours and long traveling distances to work. SAMAT is doing this by strengthening labour inspection mechanisms and by training labour inspectors, workers and their employers in the hazards to be found in agriculture and on the ways in which to prevent such accidents and occupational diseases occurring. Much emphasis is being placed on the so-called occupational hazards which causes occupational diseases and accidents. 

For further information, please contact Mr. Jackson NKURLU.

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