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CATHERINE W GICHUKI
DOHA
As the infrastructural development in preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2022 is taking shape leading to increasing need for manpower and workers safety, the Institution of Occupation Safety and Health (IOSH) on Thursday launched a five-year occupational health and safety strategy to help in reducing work-related injuries and deaths.
'Work 2022-shaping the future of safety and health' strategy calls for a collective effort to ensure that workers return home fit and well after each working day.
Speaking to Qatar Tribune, Chair of IOSH's Board of Trustees Dr Bill Gunnyeon said,"Qatar is an ideal place to launch it because there is a lot going on especially in the preparation for the World Cup."
Gunnyeon said some of the IOSH products have been translated in Arabic and customised for this region.
"We recognised that while a lot of our training products are in English language, there is great demand for some of those products to be translated into other languages. Today, we launched two of our programmes which have been translated into Arabic. However, it's not just about translating, but also making sure that the products presented are in harmony with the local culture," Gunnyeon said.
According to him, those programmes are designed to help organisations in terms of working safely.
He said,"They are designed for the employees of businesses and organisations to help them understand how to reduce risks and work safely."
He said the strategy is designed to take IOSH to the next stage of development and to help make a difference across the world by reducing incidences of work-related illnesses, injuries and deaths.
Gunnyeon said occupational health issues are present. Currently, there are about 450 members of IOSH in Qatar.
"There is a lot of expertise and knowledge that will help organisations who are engaged in helping as Qatar works towards 2022. For Qatar, with lots going on at the moment, that is going to be particularly important," he said.
The strategy has three key areas including enhancement, collaboration and influence.
The conference was attended by British Ambassador to Qatar HE Ajay Sharma.
