Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) and environmental Issues

Coordinator: Ana Catalina Ramirez

Members: Andrew Christian, Sophie Guerre Chaillet

Technical Adviser: Vacant

Objective: To collaborate with the Office to ensure effective Committees on safety and health (COSH) are operationalized in all duty stations and calling for administration accountability through strengthening Staff Union representatives’ knowledge, capacity and resilience to defend the rights of staff concerning security, occupational safety and health, both physical and mental and well-being at work.

Means of action

• Supporting the implementation of the occupational safety and health (OSH) policy, directive and procedure (IGDS 48, IGDS 286, IGDS 385[1]) through active participation in the Committee on Safety and Health (COSH) promoting compliance with the actions and requirements of IGDS 385;
• Participating in the COSH working groups, including on stress at work and mental health; on the review of the OSH IGDS documents; and on OSH training;
• Reaching out to Staff Union representatives in the field offices to promote and support the creation and functioning of OSH committees and mechanisms, including, where necessary, the identification and appointment of OSH representatives;
• Contributing to capacity-building among SU representatives by developing user-friendly guidance for OSH representatives on how to fulfil their OSH duties;
• Supporting SU representatives in their crises response capacity, on matters concerning occupational safety and health in public health crises and consultation of return-to-office policies and security and well-being in fragile contexts;
• Ensuring a staff voice in the building renovation processes (planning and implementation), through Steering Committees or other consultation mechanisms, so that the highest standards on staff safety and health and well-being apply during the renovation of the headquarters and field buildings, in consultation with Staff Union representatives, union stewards and focal points;
• Supporting climate- and environmentally friendly initiatives within the ILO;
• In collaboration with the Administration, ensuring that staff are kept informed of developments concerning security and occupational safety and health through communications and/or information sessions.
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