HYGIENE AND SAFETY AT WORKPLACE

Every employer must take reasonable care for the safety of his employees. This duty is also the responsibility of the worker who is expected to keep certain standards of work as well. The general standards governing working conditions is carried out by the National Commission for Industrial Hygiene and safety.

An employer must place at the disposal of its workers premises, installation and tools which are suitable for the execution of the work allocated to them. Such tools must be of a nature capable of affording adequate protection to the workers. However, the protective measures will depend on the kind of work in which the employees are engaged. In accordance with Order No. 039/MTPS/IMT of 26th November 1984, its section 4(3) provides that a breathing apparatus will be necessary where the works involves the emission of sufficient quantity of injurious gas, vapour, fumes and dust. Examples of such apparatus includes;

  • Screen or shields should be provided where there is a discharge of flying chips which are likely to cause bodily injuries,
  • Special googles to protect workers against radiation which may give rise to eye injury.
  • Helmets should be provided where there is a possibility of falling objects.
  • Steel and insolated shoes should be made available to workers in a demolition and electricity supply.

The 1984 order in its section 5 obliges the employer as a question of routine regularly to give out instructions relating to safety devices to the worker. The order also requires regular control test, verification and periodical maintenance of machine and safety devices.

According to the Cameroon labour code, every enterprise must provide medical and health services for their employees.

According to section 99 (1) of the labour code, medical and health service shall be under the responsibility of medical doctors who shall be recruited preferably from among practitioners holding diplomas in industrial medicine and who shall be assisted by qualified personnel.

It is equally the duty of the employer to provide medical care and necessary accessory to any worker or his spouse or child housed by the employer under the conditions laid down in section 66 of the labour code.

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