Building effective OSH qualification systems and improving access to national occupational health services

OSH national systems and OSH management at the workplace level rely on occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals and occupational health services.

Yet around the world, many workplaces don’t have access to sufficient knowledge on OSH to implement proper OSH management systems, lack financial resources to engage external expertise as required, and receive limited advice from occupational health services for establishing and maintaining a safe and healthy working environment. The problem is particularly acute in developing countries where the number of suitably qualified professionals is often insufficient to meet the needs of enterprises, and where the coverage of occupational health services is low.

This project aims to address these challenges by improving OSH qualification systems and occupational health services at national level.

On one hand, different training options for OSH professionals in various countries around the world will be identified. Based on this review, the project will support countries in developing adequate competency framework and training programmes to ensure that suitably qualified professionals are available.

On the other hand, a practical guide will be developed to support countries in the assessment of their national occupational health services (OHS) system (including legal framework, functions, organization, coverage, resources, funding and governance). Through this assessment, gaps and priority interventions will be identified to design an effective strategy for improved OHS.

This project builds on the achievements of the previous project funded by the Government of Korea on Improving occupational safety and health (OSH) qualifications frameworks.

It is funded by the Government of Korea and implemented under the framework of the ILO Flagship Programme on OSH Safety + Health for All in line with its strategy.