Ministry forms teams for workers’ safety
JEDDAH: The Ministry of Labor and the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI) have jointly formed teams to inspect occupational safety of workers.
The teams include inspectors and engineers and will tour various work facilities in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, the ministry has said.
Abdullah bin Nasser Abu Thunaiyan, undersecretary of the Ministry of Labor for Inspection and Developing Work Environment, said tours by the teams would ensure that private sector enterprises remain committed to the occupational health and safety of workers, implementation of regulations and provision of a safe work environment.
Article 204 of the labor system approves inspection whenever needed. Such teams include occupational safety and health specialists.
Abu Thunaiyan said a fine of SR25,000 will be imposed on violators of safety rules.
He emphasized that the facilities provided at workplaces are meant to protect workers from risks of injuries and occupational diseases. Toward this end, the establishments need to check and maintain the equipment and facilities provided at workplaces regularly to prevent accidents and injuries.
He added that these and other measures are in the interest of workers and remove whatever threat to their working in unsafe conditions.
Abdulaziz Habdan, assistant director general, GOSI, said these mobile inspections will target different work environments in the private sector to ensure their compliance with the requirements of occupational safety and health. It will also raise the importance of occupational safety and health among employers and employees on one hand and give a good example of government efforts on the other for raising the bar of occupational safety and health at the national level, he explained.
He urged the private sector to strictly adhere to the requirements of occupational health and safety and avoid statutory penalties. The ministry also urged the citizens to provide information of any irregularities of occupational safety and health on customer service phone number 19911 and ensure the safety of workers.
