Convincing managers of the cost benefits of OSH
Hassam Bouckacem

In 1997 the Algerian Organisation for the Prevention of Occupational Risks in the Construction Industry (OPREBATP) launched a new approach in organizing seminars. Instead of sensibilizing workers as usual about OSH issues, it was decided to organise seminars about health and safety at work towards white collar workers and directors. The main objective is to convince managers the cost benefits when improving working conditions.

As managers are often busy, seminars lasted only one and a half days. Typical seminar program content is roughly as follows:

-law regulations
-occupational health
-cost of labour accidents
-security and productivity
-training in occupational safety and health

So far, it is too soon to assess the impact of these seminars yet it represents an example of training facitilities tailored to meet the needs of building industry in the occupational safety field.

Hassan Bouckacem
OPREBATP
Algerian Occupational Risks Prevention Organisation
10 Rue Mohamed Belouizoad
Algiers, Algeria
telefax: c/o Swedish Embassy, +213 2 691 917