September 29, 2009
Lessons from Africa - Part Four - Worker safety/health
My reason for traveling to South Africa was to present at NOSHCON – a conference for Occupational health and Safety hosted by NOSA. I attended many presentations at the conference, and was amazed by what I learned from some of the country’s finest minds:
The plight of the South African worker is that of workers in many developing countries – the workers are often relegated to manual labor, under less-than-ideal conditions, which actually contributes to their declining health. One study by Dr. Candice Christie presented information on worker health, showing that their health actually deteriorated as they worked more, due to malnutrition and dehydration from working outside without adequate health support. Since worker safety is affected by mental sharpness, this decline in physical health links to an increase in worker injury.
Andrew Sharman of Royal Bank of Scotland Group highlighted that it costs corporations worldwide $125 Trillion (yes, that’s a “T”) is lost yearly due to worker accidents and fatality. With numbers like that, this is everyone’s problem.
Andrew Sharman presenting
What can be done? Corporations can take care of their workers. Many of the workers were dehydrated because the water at the worksite was too far away to allow them to grab some water easily; a simple doubling of water stations would be helpful. Malnutrition was due partially to “slave labor” wages paid, and any meals provided were not nutritionally balanced (but were inexpensive). Better wages and better nutrition would reduce worker injury significantly.
How does this fit into improving your business? It may not… I don’t know. I could try and make a case that you can improve your workers’ conditions, no matter what your business may be; but really, consider whether there’s anything you can do to improve the lot of workers in developing countries, who provide much of what you and I use every day. Research where your materials and labor come from. Know the practices of the companies you buy from. Vote with your wallet – support companies athat are trying to do the right thing like these Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations. Make a difference.
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