PSI

The OHSEI-PSI Occupational Health, Safety and Environment Workshop (South East Asian sub-region) was held in Bangkok 6-9 October 2002. The twenty one participants were:

1. from six countries [Indonesia (2), Malaysia (5), Singapore (2), Philippines (3), Thailand (5 plus interpreter) and Vietnam (2 plus interpreter)].
2. 8 women and 13 males.
3. from three industry sectors [electricity (6), water (3) and health (9)].

The key objective of the workshop was to develop a strategy for improving occupational health and safety outcomes in the three industry sectors represented. This involved providing opportunities to access information about four tools which can be used to achieve this objective:

1. international standards [including ILO Conventions];
2. a hazard management strategy;
3. union involvement in joint occupational health, safety and environment committees;
4. occupational health and safety agreements.

The workshop developed recommendations which involve the creation of a working party (to work via e-mail) to develop a range of responses including:

1. assessment of relevant information (legislation, ILO Conventions, international standards, union policies, etc) to develop   a knowledge base.
2. development of draft policies on occupational health and safety which affiliates could use as the basis for future action in support of occupational health, safety and environment.
3. development of capacity to conduct training in affiliates (trainer training, course design and materials development).
4. on-going campaign activities and materials at regional, sub-regional, national, industry, workplace and trade union level. A key time for activity was suggested to be International Memorial Day, 28 April.

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