By Tatiana Mhararira
National Social Security Authority (NSSA) recently took 43 occupational nurses on a five day training workshop on occupational safety health at Clevers’ Hotel in Masvingo.
The training was done under the theme ‘enriched upon promoting a physically acceptable culture through vision zero’ where nurses working for various organisations across the country underwent a rigourous training to promote safety and health at workplaces.
Addressing trainees during the closing session of the workshop, NSSA acting General Manager Dr Charles Shava said it was possible to achieve vision zero which is aimed at reducing accidents at workplaces.
“Vision zero in the workplace is possible. The vision states that we will have zero accidents at workplaces. We should make sure workers are not injured or do not contract work place-related diseases.
“Let us brace our minds and efforts to move towards promoting an onset camera through vision zero harmful and a sustainable workforce. It is important from a point of view that we know where we are going, what we are using and what gaps exist in our various Occupational Safety Health initiatives,” said Dr Shava.
He said combined efforts of occupational nurses was key in combating injuries in workplaces.
The training course looked at some topics such as Factories and Works Act, understanding climate risks and opportunities for OSH professionals, lung inhalation injuries, occupational eye injuries and drug and substance abuse.
Speaking to one of the trainees, Evans Hove from Inscor’s Providence Clinic said the course equipped them with new skills to deal with occupational hazards.
“During the occupational health nurses training l learnt a lot about workers compensation and insurance fund, a fund which is executed by NSSA to support workers injured at work and retired employees,” said Hove.
“I would like to teach our company employees about work related stress, how to deal with mental health issues both at work and at home,” he added.
Among other measures to ensure safety in work places, NSSA says any workplace with a minimum of 70 workers should have a clinic and a doctor.
