Occupational Safety and Health

ILO Programme on Occupational Safety and Health and the Environment in the Caribbean

The Programme to support governments as well as employers' and workers' organizations in their efforts to improve OSH at the enterprise and national levels and to contribute to environmental sustainability of Small Island Developing States.

Intended Beneficiaries:
English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean countries and territories

Start/End  Dates: 
January 2011 - February 2012

The Programme is based on a needs assessment involving several Caribbean countries, that was undertaken by Dr. Le Serve in 2009. Among the priorities of the Programme are:
  • to promote awareness of international labour standards on OSHE and labour inspection, and also on the CARICOM Model Law on Occupational Safety and Health and the Working Environment, given that several countries are reviewing and amending their OSH legislation and regulations;
  • to develop advocacy and awareness-raising strategies to improve OSHE practices, in line with international labour standards on OSH, as well as to promote a culture of safety;
  • to conduct training programmes on the Occupational Safety and Health Management System, the use of industrial hygiene kits as well as sector-specific OSH training for labour inspectors;
  • to conduct training programmes on the Occupational Safety and Health Management System as well as sector-specific OSH training for employers and workers;
  • to support academic institutions (universities and labour colleges) to deliver training and advisory services on OSHE; and
  • to establish a Caribbean Network of OSH Experts to facilitate further South-South cooperation as well as to establish links with experts in extra-regional institutions.
The linkages between activities and working conditions at the workplace and the consequences for the external environment will be highlighted under the Programme. The vulnerability of key sectors of Caribbean economies to climate change will provide the context for addressing these issues.

A module on the workplace response to HIV/AIDS, based on ILO HIV and AIDS Recommendation, 2010 ( No. 200) and the ILO code of practice on HIV and AIDS and the world of work, is integrated in all OSH training to be delivered under the Programme. Donor: US Department of Labor (USDOL)