Directive No. 834/2014 (E.C.) was issued by the Ethiopian Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs to establish the conditions for forming Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Committees within organizations. This directive is rooted in the Labour Proclamation No. 1156/2011 and aims to prevent workplace accidents and health issues, thereby reducing human, economic, and psychological damage.
Below is a detailed discussion of the directive’s key components:
1. Scope and Applicability
The directive applies to any organization covered by Labour Proclamation No. 1156/2011 that employs 10 or more workers. However, organizations with fewer than 10 employees are encouraged to form joint OSH committees. Branch offices may also establish their own committees in alignment with the head organization’s structure.
2. Committee Composition and Selection
The committee is a bipartite body consisting of an equal number of representatives from the employer and the workers. Its size is determined by the total number of employees:
- 10–100 workers: 2 representatives each (4 total).
- 101–500 workers: 4 representatives each (8 total).
- 501–1,000 workers: 6 representatives each (12 total).
- 1,000+ workers: 8 representatives each (16 total).
Selection Process:
- Employers select representatives from management.
- Workers select representatives through their trade union, or by a majority vote if no union exists.
- The directive emphasizes the importance of female participation in the committee’s structure.
- Members serve a three-year term and can be re-elected.
3. Key Functions and Responsibilities
The committee’s primary role is to institutionalize safety and health protocols. Its duties include:
- Planning and Budgeting: Preparing annual OSH plans and budgets for the organization.
- Inspections: Conducting workplace safety inspections at least every three months and providing recommendations for improvement.
- Risk Management: Identifying hazardous machines or processes and ensuring they undergo safety checks.
- Data Analysis: Collecting and analyzing data on workplace accidents, medical costs, and lost work hours to understand the economic impact of safety failures.
- Accident Investigation: Investigating the causes of accidents or “near-misses” to prevent recurrence.
- Policy Development: Drafting the organization’s OSH policy and monitoring its implementation once approved.
- Special Protections: Working to prevent child labor, sexual harassment against female workers, and managing workplace safety for young, disabled, or HIV-positive workers.
- Public Health: Coordinating responses to pandemics, specifically mentioning COVID-19 and other international outbreaks.
4. Operational Procedures
- Meetings: The committee must hold its first meeting within 30 days of formation and continue to meet at least every three months. Emergency meetings can be called if a serious accident or imminent hazard is identified.
- Leadership: A Chairman and Vice-Chairman are elected annually, alternating between employer and worker representatives.
- Quorum: A meeting is valid if more than half the members are present, provided there is at least 50% representation from both the employer and worker sides.
- Secretariat: The organization’s designated OSH professional serves as the permanent secretary, handling agendas, documentation, and reporting.
5. Administrative Requirements
- Registration: Committees must register with the Ministry or the relevant authority to receive a one-year certificate, which must be renewed annually.
- Reporting: The committee is accountable to the organization’s General Manager. It must submit quarterly activity reports and monthly accident reports to both the employer and the Ministry.
- Employer Obligations: Employers are required to provide office space, materials, and training for committee members.
6. Penalties and Repeals
Failure to comply with this directive results in penalties as prescribed under Labour Proclamation No. 1156/2011. This directive officially repealed the previous OSH committee directive that had been in place since September 30, 1998 (E.C.).