ILO leads initiative to improve workplace safety for Mongolian small businesses

MONGOLIA (ILO News) - To directly address these challenges, ILO has partnered with the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) of Mongolia to deliver practical training aimed at strengthening workplace safety culture and building local capacity.

As part of this ongoing collaboration, the joint training titled "Improving Occupational Safety and Health in Small and Medium Enterprises” was successfully conducted in Darkhan-Uul province from 27 January to 29 April 2026.

Below are the reflections and feedback from the participating enterprises and OSH trainers:

Video 1.

Batkhuu, OSH trainer: "This training program specifically targeted small and medium-sized entrepreneurs, a sector where OSH issues were previously unaddressed in businesses with fewer than 30 workers. To ensure knowledge translated into action, the training provided critical follow-up guidance directly at workplaces, leading companies to self-fund their own physical and procedural safety upgrades. Based on risk assessments, businesses resolved initial hazards by performing thorough housekeeping, placing safety signage, and installing protective barriers and edge protections to prevent falls. Ultimately, these tangible workplace transformations, along with the successful adoption of digital OSH systems, emerged as the program's leading best practices."

Byambatsogt, OSH officer at Burkhant eco asphalt LLC: "By participating in this training, we gained a clear understanding of the required workplace safety signage and the proper inspection protocols for machinery and equipment, which we are now actively implementing."

Jambal, OSH trainer: "At Gobi Durvun Shim LLC, a bakery with around 30 employees, we conducted a risk assessment and implemented low-cost engineering improvements—such as installing ramps at stairs, constructing proper steps at high doorsteps, and introducing wheeled pushcarts—to help the company address known workplace hazards. Follow-up guidance were also provided to CFC fast-food restaurant, where the focus was placed on workplace organization, ergonomics, sanitation, and prioritizing high-risk tasks like electrical safety to ensure legal compliance. Furthermore, at Darkhan Saamshil LLC, a newly developing enterprise with only three employees operating in limited conditions, we provided essential guidance on ergonomics, workplace organization, electrical safety, and fire safety to establish a safer working environment.".

Tumur-Khuyag, OSH trainer: "OSH training engaged around 40 small and medium enterprises that openly shared past workplace hazards to implement appropriate mitigation measures in Darkhan-Uul province. Participants successfully eliminated environmental risks using low-cost, internal resources and available materials, generating numerous creative safety solutions. Notable progress was achieved across various sectors, including age-tailored hazard reductions at a high-activity pre-school kindergarten and dedicated safety improvements at public fast-food restaurants, demonstrating that occupational safety and health is ultimately the duty of every citizen".