Kazakhstan strengthens mine safety through regional training in Ust-Kamenogorsk

© ILO

© ILO

UST-KAMENOGORSK, Kazakhstan (ILO News) - The third and final regional occupational safety and health (OSH) training for Kazakhstan’s mining sector was held in Ust-Kamenogorsk on 20-21 May 2026. Organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) jointly with national social partners, the event brought together workers’ representatives, employers and labour inspectors to strengthen practical knowledge and promote a stronger safety culture in the mining industry. The event concluded a three-city training series implemented under the RBSA-funded initiative Promoting occupational safety and health through social dialogue in the mining sector in Kazakhstan, following earlier trainings in Karaganda and Ekibastuz.

The training formed part of the pilot rollout of the ILO’s E-Collab.OSH platform and focused on practical approaches to risk management, accident prevention and the application of international labour standards, including the Safety and Health in Mines Convention, 1995 (No. 176).

Delivered in an interactive in-person format, the programme combined practical exercises, case studies and group discussions designed to strengthen cooperation between employers, workers and labour inspectors in addressing workplace risks.

© ILO

© ILO

Participants highlighted the value of continued collaboration and experience-sharing in addressing emerging workplace risks and strengthening occupational safety practices across Kazakhstan’s mining regions. Feedback collected after the training indicated strong interest in further professional development, particularly on advanced OSH topics and through practical, interactive learning methods.

The ILO’s regional training programme on occupational safety and health in mining brought together around 120 representatives of workers and employers from mining companies across Karaganda, Ekibastuz and Ust-Kamenogorsk. The programme strengthened participants’ capacity to identify, assess and prevent occupational risks through practical training on OSH management systems, incident investigation, occupational hygiene and workers’ health monitoring, helping to promote a stronger safety culture in the sector.

In addition to strengthening the knowledge and skills of workers’ and employers’ representatives and OSH practitioners from 30 mines and mining companies, the training series also served as a pilot initiative, generating valuable feedback that will inform the further refinement and adaptation of the training materials to better address the needs and challenges of Kazakhstan’s mining sector.