Health and Safety

This page was last updated on: 2023-05-21

Employer Cares

In accordance with section 13 of Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2006, it is obligatory for an employer to ensure health, safety and welfare of persons at workplace.

 

Employer must take measures to keep the workplace pollution-free by employing technical measures, applied to new plant or processes in design or installation, or added to existing plant or process; or by employing supplementary organisational measures.

 

Employer must ensure safe working environment including its vicinity. Proper arrangements should be made to ensure safety and absence of health risks related to the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances. Provision and maintenance of workplace which is adequate regarding facilities and arrangements for the welfare of worker is also important.

 

Employer should provide and maintain safe and risk free means of access to and exit from the workplace. Workers must be well informed of the real and potential dangers associated with the use of the substance or machinery and they must be well equipped with personal protective equipments to prevent the risks of accidents or of adverse effects on health.

 

Source: §13 of Occupational Safety and Health Act 2006

Free Protection

In accordance with the provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, it is the responsibility of employer to provide free protective equipment including clothing to the workers involved in hazardous work. The type of PPE needed varies depending on the nature of work being performed.  The right use of PPE reduces risk of accident and the adverse effects on health.

 

It is also a duty of the employer to provide instructions for the use of personal protective equipment and make sure that they are used whenever required.

 

Source: § 13(2g), 19, 91 & 95(7) of Occupational Safety and Health Act 2006

Training

In accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act, it is the responsibility of an employer to provide instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure health and safety at work of his workers.

Source: § 13(2c) of Occupational Safety and Health Act 2006

Labour Inspection System

Labour inspection system is present in Uganda. Occupational Safety and Health Act provides for a vibrant labour inspection system (part II).

The Commissioner is responsible for the administration of Occupational Safety and Health Act to improve and ensure health, safety, security and good working conditions at the enterprises, inspecting enterprises and ensuring the law enforcement.

The national legislation provides inspectors the power to enter, inspect and examine the work premises at any time during day or night; inspect any machinery, plant, appliance, fitting or chemical in the workplace; take measurements, photographs, samples and make recordings for the purpose of examination and investigation; ask for registers, documents, certificates and notices to inspect, examine and copy them; interview any one; make all the necessary examination and inquiry; if the inspector is a medical practitioner he/she may carry out medical examinations; and may take police officer along with him/her if necessary. Labour inspector is also authorised to dismantle the substance or to subject it to any process or test if it appears to have caused or likely to cause danger to safety and health.

If an employer or his representatives do not facilitate the inspector and obstruct the execution of his duties, he/she commits an offence and is liable to a fine up to forty eight currency points or to imprisonment up to one year or to both.

Inspector must not disclose any information obtained during the course of his/her duty.

 

Reforms Related to COVID-19

During the pandemic, Uganda issued some rules and regulations, and granted powers to the medical officer for inspection as well as taking required action against COVID-19 in Public Health (Control of COVID-19) Rules, 2020 (SI 52 of 2020). It also included rules for the employers on showing an immediate response while dealing with a patient of COVID-19 in their occupational premises by informing the medical officer or medical practitioner on immediate basis.

Source: § 3-9 of Occupational Safety and Health Act 2006; Public Health (Control of COVID-19) Rules, 2020 (SI 52 of 2020)

Regulations on Health and Safety

  • Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2006

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