Zimbabwe slashes workplace accidents by 20% throug...

Zimbabwe slashes workplace accidents by 20% through government initiatives

Philemon Jambaya

Zimbabwe has achieved a significant 20% reduction in work-related accidents over the past five years, thanks to a series of government interventions aimed at prioritising worker safety.

The National Social Security Authority revealed this positive development during a recent three-day engineers’ workshop held in Kwekwe. Dr. Charles Shava, acting CEO of NSSA, attributed the decline to a multi-pronged approach implemented by the government:

Enhanced Safety Education: “We must say we have been educating even general staff on matters of safety and first aid,” Dr. Shava highlighted, emphasising the expansion of safety training programs for both staff and general workers.

Improved First Aid Response: Equipping workplaces with personnel trained in first-aid procedures is another key initiative.

Investment in Skilled Safety Personnel: Dr. Shava further noted: “I am glad that we have a supportive system which has given us the green light to employ skilled staff to attend to critical issues and ensure safety at the workplace.” This signifies the government’s commitment to enlisting qualified professionals for workplace safety management.

The importance of engineers in ensuring a safe working environment was underscored by Honourable July Moyo, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. He urged them to factor worker well-being into their designs and incorporate safety measures as a core component of their innovations.

Minister Moyo emphasised the crucial role engineers play in the nation’s development, stating: “Our engineers are critical as we move to the future. Their structural designs must present enough safety nets for the workers. We want to move into the next century, which is an upper middle-income society by 2030. We want to move to the next level using qualitative research. We want to create a skills pool which will help us go into the future as engineers.”

The government’s vision extends beyond simply reducing accidents. The ultimate goal, as echoed by Honourable Owen Ncube, Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, is to create a work environment free from tragedy and loss of life. “We are humbled to host such a workshop,” Minister Ncube said: “The workplace should not be associated with grief and loss of lives. It should be a source of joy for family and community as it shall bring about positive change in society. Engineers are critical in ensuring that this happens.”

Recognising the need for targeted interventions, the NSSA is now directing its safety efforts towards small and medium-sized enterprises and small-scale mining operations. These sectors often lack robust safety protocols, making them high-risk environments.