Occupational Health Profile of Malawi

Question 1

What is occupational health?

Answer 1

Occupational health and safety refers to efforts to reduce the physical and chemical hazards in a work environment with the goal
of reducing work-related injury, illness and disability

Question 2

What are the strengths of the occupational health profile?

Answer 2

1. The availability of legislation for the protection of workers’ safety and health that is backed by the country’s constitution
2. The availability of administrative structures in government and social partners as required by the laws of Malawi
3. The availability of protection of individual workers’ rights and health
4. The availability of workers’ compensation system for work-related injuries, diseases and fatalities

Question 3

Weaknesses of occupational safety and health in Malawi?

Answer 3

1. Limited data on accidents, diseases and fatalities arising from and out of workplaces.
2. Limited knowledge on current and emerging issues on OSH;
3. Limited human and financial resources;
4. Weak institutional policy and legislation;
5. Inadequate equipment for OSH monitoring;
6. Limited research capacity;
7. Limited institutional based OSH skills development;
8. Limited ratification of International Labour Standards
9. Limited knowledge exchange with national and international institutions

Question 4

What are the programme priorities of occupational safety and health in Malawi?

Answer 4

1. Capacity building including training of inspectors
2. Creating an OSH national committee
3. Formulation of a coherent national OSH policy
4. Review and harmonisation of the OSH legislation
5. Formulation of specific regulations for high risk sectors including informal economy
6. Establishment of a national occupational hygiene laboratory
7. Strengthening of the capacity and operations of the national OSH information Centre (CIS)
8. Formulation of inspection guidelines
9. Formulation of an OSH communication, collaboration and networking strategy
10. Mainstreaming of HIV/AIDS and occupational TB Prevention at the workplace with the OSH services
11. Strengthening of OSH system at national and enterprise levels
12. OSH advocacy and awareness campaigns
13. Scaling up OSH training in educational and vocational training institutions
14. Review the current system of recording and reporting of occupational injuries