International safety and health experts will be in Cambodia this week to train local people in how to improve occupational safety and health on Cambodia ’s many small construction sites.

The three-day training workshop runs from 9-11^th March. It is being organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Cambodian government, and funded by the Republic of Korean government.

The workshop will be attended by around 33 representatives from the government, trade unions, employers and non-governmental organizations (NGO’s).

Construction is one of the most hazardous forms of work. In Cambodia many workers are employed on small sites where safety and health services to prevent injuries, accidents and work-related illnesses, seldom match those on large construction sites. 

The training is an essential first step in addressing the occupational safety and health (OSH) issues faced by Cambodian construction workers who have very limited access to the practical support and information they need to protect themselves against hazards and ensure a safe and healthy working environment.

Common sources of injury on small sites include falling from heights, exposure to chemicals, injuries from carrying heavy loads or from sharp objects like nails, and exposure to heat and dust.  Workers often work long, irregular hours and live on-site in the most basic conditions. 

Women and migrants account for many of the workers on these small sites. Whole families, including children, are sometimes involved.

The training will be based on the ILO’s tried and tested “Work Improvement in Small Construction Sites” (WISCON) programme. This focuses on practical, low-cost, quick solutions to safety and health problems, using local materials. As part of the course the trainees will visit a construction site to test out their newly-learned methods of evaluating risks and draw up concrete OSH action plans.   After the workshop the participants will become trainers themselves, and will start passing on their new skills directly to construction workers.

The training will be led by Dr. Tsuyoshi Kawakami, ILO Occupational Safety and Health Specialist, who is based at the ILO Subregional Office for East Asia in Bangkok . He will be joined by Mr. Naoki Toyoma from the Tokyo Occupational Safety and Health Centre, Japan .

“There are small construction sites starting up all over Cambodia and these workers face specific safety and health threats that are not so common on large construction projects.” Dr Kawakami said.  “WISCON is extremely practical. It shows that safety and health doesn’t have to cost a lot or disrupt work; low-cost, quick and easy measures can make a real difference to the smooth and efficient running of a site. Our message is that good safety and health practices are good for workers and good for business,” he said.

The three-day training workshop will be held at the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training.

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