Opinions & Interviews

MOGILEV, 19 May (BelTA) – Belarus and Russia are successfully working to improve and unify occupational safety regulations, BelTA learned from Sergei Velmyaikin, Russian First Deputy Labor and Social Protection Minister, who took part in the Belarusian-Russian conference on prevention work with regard to occupational safety in Mogilev.

The official said: “We are one of the leaders from the point of view of integration in the Union State of Belarus and Russia. Occupational safety matters are the matters that are very similar in Belarus and Russia. It happens because we always consult with each other when we try to introduce some innovations together with our colleagues. It is done to keep in mind the road that this or that country has travelled in order to avoid repeating the same mistakes. It was also voiced in reports of my colleagues. We even have documents, which are similar in the same areas. It is not just a coincidence but concerted efforts on both sides.”

According to Sergei Velmyaikin, in the near future the Belarusian and Russian labor and social protection ministries should focus on introducing a risk-oriented model for managing occupational safety. “By doing so, we will be disillusioned about the assumption that all the jobs will become absolutely safe some time in the future. We will also spend resources most effectively on fixing the things that can be fixed and minimizing risks where possible,” he explained.

Among priorities he also mentioned the improvement of oversight work with regard to occupational safety, the reformation of the system of mandatory social insurance against industrial accidents and occupational diseases. “Employers should not be afraid of occupational safety audits and respectively control agencies should put more efforts into prevention. But if the violations are severe and directly endanger the safety of human work, then the auditors should allow no compromises,” believes Sergei Velmyaikin.