Accra – Training on Chemical Risk

In Africa as much as 50,000 tonnes of obsolete stockpiles of pesticides contaminate soil, water, air, and food both for domestic consumption and export (UNEP GEO 4, 2007). Statistics of poisonings cases (although usually grossly under reported) have estimated that between 46 and 84% of all poisonings in adults are attributable to occupation or the environment (WHO, 2006). While alarming, these figures reflect a reality for the African people in their workplace and daily lives. A group of 17 trade union representatives from 14 African countries (Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Togo, Ivory Coast, Chad, Botswana, South Africa, Benin, Rwanda and Ghana) recently gathered to address the trade union agenda for the sound management of chemicals at a training event organized by ITUC Africa held in Accra from March 8-9, 2010, as part of the joint UNEP/Sustainlabour programme on Labour & Environment.
One of the objectives of this workshop was to form a regional network of unionists working in the area of chemical risk. During the training sessions of the workshop the health and environmental effects of chemical substances were outlined, relevant tools were reviewed for dealing with and reducing chemical risk at the workplace – from practical issues such as reading labels, to how to incorporate clauses and concrete measures in collective bargaining negotiations and agreements, as well as how to demand the right to information and the application of the precautionary principle in the workplace.
In addition this activity was geared toward improving knowledge of national legislations as well as international reference tools, ILO conventions, StockholmBasel and Rotterdam Conventions and SAICM (Strategic Approach to Chemicals Management). Leer más...