Explain the National Safety Policy
Answer:-
The National Policy on Safety, Health, and Environment at the Workplace was established by the Ministry of Labor and Employment, Government of India, in February 2009 after consultations with various stakeholders. The policy, grounded in the Constitution of India, aims to foster a national culture of preventative safety and health practices and to enhance workplace safety, health, and environmental conditions. It outlines a set of goals and national objectives to achieve these aims.
The policy document includes an Action Programme that highlights eight key focus areas: enforcement, national standards, compliance, awareness, research and development, occupational safety and health skills development, and data collection. The policy is designed to be reviewed at least every five years, following an initial assessment of workplace safety, health, and environmental conditions.
Key Benefits:
- Inclusivity: The policy is applicable not only to large and organized sectors but also extends to medium-scale and unorganized sectors.
- Guidance: It offers general guidance to all stakeholders, helping them fulfill their responsibilities effectively.
- Safety Culture: The policy promotes the development of a positive safety and health culture across workplaces.
- Skill and Research Development: It encourages research activities and the development of skills among employees, employers, enforcement authorities, and the broader society.
- Employee Participation: The policy fosters cooperation between employers and employees, encouraging active employee participation for effective management.
- Compliance and Implementation: It ensures better compliance and implementation through a system of accrediting competent professionals and institutions.
- Data-Driven Decisions: The policy facilitates the timely collection, compilation, and analysis of work-related injuries, diseases, and illnesses, enabling informed decision-making at the national level.
- OSH Systems Approach: The policy advocates for a comprehensive Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) systems approach, including the use of computer-aided risk assessment tools to address workplace safety, health, and environmental challenges.