To improve safety in the construction industry, the Department of Labour under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Industry is stepping up its efforts to ensure that qualified safety professionals are present at the sites. A week-long “Training of Trainers” on occupational health and safety is currently underway in Phuentshogling. This initiative aims to develop skilled professionals who can train others in the industry.
The initiative aims to reduce workplace hazards and ensure the safety of employees.
For years, regulations have mandated safety officers and supervisors on construction sites. However, a lack of training programmes has made it difficult to meet these requirements.
To address this gap, the department, in collaboration with JICA, has launched a “Training of Trainers” programme.
The department has developed courses and will outsource the training of safety officials, general safety supervisors and construction safety supervisors to both public and private institutions. This is to ensure a standardised certification system and sustainability of the programme.
“We’ve received many complaints from companies and the public about the lack of trained safety professionals. We’ve been unable to implement this section effectively. Institutions will now roll out these trainings after attending our training of trainers programme. This will allow us to monitor the market more strictly as we have more trained safety professionals,” said Sonam Geley Dorjee, the Deputy Executive Engineer with MoICE.
“We’ve been working with the Department of Labour to develop course guidelines for construction safety supervisors and general safety supervisors. We also aim to involve institutions to ensure these courses are delivered further,” said Krishna Subba, the Chief Programme Officer with JICA Bhutan.
Over 20 officials from government and private training institutes are attending it.
As required by the Guidelines for Accreditation of Courses 2011 and the Regulations for Registration of Training Providers 2023, trainers must be officially registered and have relevant academic qualifications or specialised training on Occupational Health and Safety.
“This training will benefit me personally. Safety is essential everywhere. It’s also crucial for institutions, especially as we deal with equipment regularly. This training will be very helpful,” said Dechen Choden, an instructor at TTI in Chumey, Bumthang.
“After this training, I’m eager to offer it at my institution. We’ll be rolling out this course as well,” said Jigme Dorji, a proprietor of the Institute of Skills and Management Studies, Thimphu.
By increasing the number of qualified safety professionals, the department aims to create a training ecosystem for safety and health professionals. It also strives to meet the requirements of the Regulation of Occupational Health and Safety, 2022.
Kinley Dem, Chhukha
Edited by Sangay Chezom
