Workplace Safety Starts with Knowledge: Training on Occupational Safety and Health Held for Trade Union Representatives
Full implementation of International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 161, stronger cooperation between occupational safety and health professionals and occupational health services, and better protection of employees during extreme temperatures were among the topics covered during a three-day training programme for representatives of the Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Serbia. The training was held as part of the project “Improving Occupational Safety and Health and Labour Inspection in Serbia”, implemented by the International Labour Organization and funded by the European Union.
The training took place from 20 to 22 October in Sokobanja. This time, the knowledge developed by the Academy for Corporate Security and Occupational Safety and Health for professionals from the private and public sectors also reached employee representatives, who are often the first to identify risks in the workplace and call for better working conditions.
The Academy was launched as a modular lifelong learning programme that combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience. It is aligned with the Law on Higher Education and covers occupational safety and health, information security, the protection of people, property and business operations, inspection supervision, and risk management. It serves as an example of partnership between academia, the business sector and civil society.
Lectures and interactive workshops were led by experts Vera Božić Trefalt and Professor Petar Bulat. Participants examined the extent to which ILO Convention No. 161 concerning Occupational Health Services has been incorporated into the legislation of the Republic of Serbia, the consequences of its incomplete implementation, and the steps required for its full implementation. They also discussed the current state of occupational health services in Serbia, from the licensing of specialists and the provision of services to the epidemiology of occupational diseases, comparing the situation with practices in the European Union, using Slovenia as an example.
Particular attention was devoted to strengthening cooperation between occupational safety and health advisers and associates and occupational health services, as well as highlighting examples of good practice. Participants also discussed models of continuous training in occupational safety and health and how to organise work when temperatures reach extreme levels.
The final part of the training focused on occupational safety and health committees, their role and importance. Particular emphasis was placed on preparing employee representatives to participate actively in the work of these committees.
The aim of the International Labour Organization project, under which the training was organised, is to create safer, healthier and fairer working conditions by aligning the legislative framework with EU standards and ILO conventions, strengthening institutional capacities, improving and digitalising information systems in the fields of occupational safety and health and labour inspection, and providing training, facilitating the exchange of experience, and raising awareness among institutions and social partners.
