<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dennis Ndlovu I Zim GBC News<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Engineers and occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals have gathered in Bulawayo for the 2026 Engineers\u2019 Workshop on Occupational Safety and Health, held under the theme \u201cVision Zero: Safety, Health and Well-being.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The workshop was officially opened by Edgar Moyo, who emphasized the need to prioritise worker safety and align national practices with global standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is my sincere honor and pleasure to stand before you today in this OSH Engineers’ Workshop running under the theme Vision Zero, Safety, Health and Well-being,\u201d said Moyo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis theme resonates well with our national aspirations, which include promoting safe and fair labour practices, social justice, enhancing labour productivity, and social protection.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He noted that the Vision Zero concept comes at a critical time as Zimbabwe works towards achieving the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 8, which focuses on decent work and economic growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cImplementing Vision Zero will assist Zimbabwe in achieving inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moyo stressed that every worker has a right to a safe and healthy working environment, adding that government is committed to ensuring no employee is injured or killed while performing their duties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo employee should get injured or die whilst creating work for someone else,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The minister also challenged engineers and OSH professionals to reflect on their effectiveness in reducing workplace accidents, citing worrying statistics from the past four years. In 2022, Zimbabwe recorded 4,912 workplace injuries and 70 fatalities. While injuries dropped to 4,334 in 2023 with 60 deaths, the trend worsened in subsequent years. In 2024, 4,242 injuries and 70 fatalities were recorded, while 2025 saw a rise to 4,414 injuries and 78 deaths the highest in the period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy question would be have we been effective in our various roles?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf we value occupational safety and health, we should expect our injury indicators to go down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He warned that failures in safety oversight have devastating consequences, saying,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLife is sacrosanct and God-given. Let us preserve it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moyo highlighted the need for stronger legislation, revealing that government is pushing for a new OSH law to address persistent workplace hazards and fatalities. He also called for greater coordination among regulatory bodies to tackle environmental and workplace safety challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The minister raised concerns over issues such as unreported injuries, communication barriers, and corruption during inspections, which he said undermine safety efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis calls for condemnation and should be discouraged in the strongest terms,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He urged employers to recognise workers as their greatest asset and ensure they are protected from occupational hazards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEvery successful nation is built on its workforce,\u201d Moyo said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking ahead, he encouraged stakeholders to work towards achieving zero accidents, injuries, diseases, and deaths in workplaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll accidents at work are preventable. There is always a cause,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe recurring message\u2026 should therefore be prevention, prevention and prevention.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The workshop, which runs for three days, is expected to provide a platform for engineers, OSH experts and innovators to share best practices and strengthen collaboration in promoting safer workplaces across Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs we look into the future, let\u2019s commit ourselves to inculcate a culture of safety and health in the workplace,\u201d Moyo said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBehind every safety statistic resides an individual and the humanitarian impact of injury or death is always far-reaching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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