COUNTRY REPORTSITUATION ANALYSIS OF
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

B.S.C.K. Munasinghe
Civil Engineer
Ministry of Health
Sri Lankachalanibs@gmail.com

Contents
Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 3
Situation Analysis and challenges ................................................................................... 4
Occurrence of labor accidents .................................................................................. 4
Challenges ................................................................................................................ 5
Legal framework .............................................................................................................. 6
Legislations .............................................................................................................. 6
Enforcement of the Factories Ordinance ................................................................. 8
Other related Institutes working on OHS .......................................................................11
Ministry of Health, Nutrition, and Indigenous Medicine .......................................11
National Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS) ....................................................... 12
Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI).................................................................. 12
Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) ............................................................... 13
Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) ............................................................... 13
Ceylon National Chamber of Industries (CNCI) ................................................... 13
Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA) ........................................ 14International Labour Organization (ILO) .............................................................. 14
World Health Organization (WHO) ....................................................................... 14
Training/ Education programs ....................................................................................... 15
Lapses and recommendations ........................................................................................ 15
Legislation and enforcement .................................................................................. 15
Occupational Health and safety programme of the Ministry of Health ................ 16
Development of human resources in occupational health and safety ................... 16
Laboratory facilities ............................................................................................... 17
Industries ................................................................................................................ 17
Proposed Occupational Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act ......................... 17

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Organization Chart (Only related sections)

Secretary - Ministry of Health

Additional Secretary(Engineering)

Director General of Health Services

DDG (Logistics)

Director(BuildingEngineering)

DDG (E OH & Foodsafety)Director(E & OH)

Civil
Engineer

Working experience

Organization

Country

No of
Years

Job Description

Ministry of Health

Sri Lanka

12

Client representative inconstruction project management
activities

State Engineering
Corporation of Sri
Lanka

Sri Lanka

1

Site Manager in a construction site

Samson group ofcompanies

Sri Lanka

3

Client representative inconstruction project management
activities
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Introduction
Sri Lanka is basically an agricultural based country and moving towards industrial
sector since past two decades. There is also a considerable increase in constructionindustry which is observed within last two decades compared to the past. Sri
Lankan labor force counts approximately 8 million out of total population whichcounts to 20 million. Large segment (28.7%) of the currently employed populationis engaged in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. 18 percent engages in the
manufacturing industry.
Industrial promotion zones have been established in different parts of the country
since 1983 to encourage foreign investments and produce goods for the export
market. These industrial zones have enabled many Sri Lankans to findemployment in which labor counts for 300,000. Board of Investment (BOI) is thegoverning authority of industrial zone.
It is estimated that about 60% of the country’s labor force is employed in theinformal sector, a sector which is more difficult to regulate and monitor. Hencelarge numbers of them function without any supervision from the health and safety
authorities. With the introduction of OHSAS 18001 certification, some of thelarge-scale industries have resorted towards adopting good health and safety
practices. The same situation prevails in majority of the industries setup under the
BOI. However, a large proportion of the industries which are small and medium
sized do not pay due attention to the practice of occupational health and safety.

The employment rate has been over 90 percent for both sexes within last ten years
and higher for males than females. With higher rate of female who are engaging in
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employment will lead to social issues which are not counted in OH policies.
Increasing aging population and increase in non-communicable diseases have also
arisen as a new challenge in the 2020.

Situation Analysis and challenges
Occurrence of labor accidents

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The highest percentage of accidents is concentrated among skilled
agricultural and fishery workers (34.2%) and plant and machine operators andassemblers (24.7%) both of whom are engaged in machinery use.
The responsibility of implementing and enforcement of legislations pertaining
tooccupational health and safety practices in the country lies chiefly with the
Department of Labour supported by the Ministry of Health. However, due tovarious constraints the enforcement of this legislation has not been satisfactory.
There is very little information available on occupational accidents and diseases,
although provision is made for the notification of accidents and industrial diseases
under the Factories Ordinance

Challenges

Industrial sector

Health sector

Tourism sector

Agricultural sector

Transport sector

Construction sector

Lack of trained safety officers, no national
standard, Lack of awareness of OHS management
systems, less attention on waste management,indoor air quality working environment, lessreporting, lapses in legal framework, no periodic
health screening
Inadequate PPE, lack of funding, lack ofprofessionals, not trained and practiced to work insafe and healthy environment, high exposure to
infections
Exposure to communicable diseases, lack ofawareness and education, inadequate medical
screening
Poor living condition, exposure to agro chemical,
No OHS services, less awareness on OHS, lesseducation, less reporting, no proper legislation
Indiscipline activities, lack of awareness andeducation,
inadequate
medicalscreening,
negligence of OH and diseases, irregular working
hours with long run, less attention oncommunicable diseases
Lack of trained safety officers, no national
standard, Lack of awareness of OHS management
systems, less attention on waste management,
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indoor air quality and working environment, lessreporting, lapses in legal framework, no periodic
health screening, exposed to high-risk environment,
lack of training for machinery operators

Legal framework
Legislations
1896
1926

Mines and Machinery
Protection Ordinance
Government Gazette
No.755

1934

Workmen’s Compensation
Ordinance, Act No.19

1942

The Factories Ordinance(Act No 45)

1961

Factories (Amendment)
Act No.54

1976
1984
1998
2000
2002

Factories (Amendment)
Law No.12
Factories (Amendment)
Act No 32
Factories (Amendment)
Act No.18
Factories (Amendment)
Act No.33
Factories (Amendment)
Act No.19

covered mines and allied industries
made applicable to all
making provisions for the payment ofcompensation to victims of factory
accidents
Chapter 128 of the Legislative safety,
health, and welfare of workers infactories.
Defines the term 'Occupier'.

not enforced due non-gazetting of thenotified dateemployment of female workers after
10:00 p.m.
increasing the fines specified under theOrdinance
Include the construction industry.
limits 'overtime' for female workers to
two hours a day

In addition to the above, following regulations are also effective.
Factories (No.1) Regulations 1960
Factories (Sanitary Conveniences) Regulations 1965
Factories (Dangerous Occurrences Notification) Regulations 1965
Factories (Washing facilities General) Regulations 1965
Factories (General Standards of Lighting) Regulations 1965
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Factories (Meal Room) Regulations 1965
Factories (Steam Boiler Attendants Certificates of competency) Regulations
1965
Factories (Notifiable Industrial Diseases) Regulations 1972
Factories (Protection of Eyes) Regulations 1979
Factories (First Aid) Regulations 1995
Leaflet on first aid

The Factories Ordinance is an enactment which makes provisions for safety, healthwelfare of worker in factories. This Ordinance has 131 sections. Provisions are madeunder the Ordinance regarding the following aspects which affect the work
environment:

Cleanliness
Overcrowding
Temperature
Ventilation
Lighting
Drainage of floors
Sanitary conveniences
Prime movers
Transmission machinery
Other machinery
Vessels containing dangerous liquids
Self-acting machinery
Chains, ropes and lifting tackle
Cranes and lifting machinery
Safe means of access and safe place of
employment

Hoists and lifts
Places where dangerous fumes are liable tobe emitted
Explosive or flammable gases, vapours
Steam boilers and pressure vessels
Means of escape in case of fires
Safety provisions in case of fire
Supply of drinking water
Washing facilities
Accommodation for clothing
First aid
Removal of dust and fumes
Meal rooms
Protection of eyes
Lifting excess weight
Noise
Electricity

Apart from maintaining the provisions regarding the above aspects, the occupier is
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responsible for notifying the following accidents and industrial diseases to the DFIE:All fatal accidentso Accidents that disable any person for more than three days from earning
full at work.
o Accident that makes any person unconscious because of heat, exhaustion,
electric shock, or inhalation of irrespirable or poisonous fumes or gases.
o Every case of dangerous occurrence such as explosions, fire, collapse ofbuildings, collapse of cranes, etc.
o Prescribed industrial diseases.

Enforcement of the Factories OrdinanceIndustrial Safety Division
Enforcement of the Factories Ordinance including Occupational Health and Safety
legislation is vested in the officers of the Industrial Safety Division of the
Department of Labour. This division is headed by the Commissioner of Labour(Industrial Safety) and the Chief Factory Inspecting Engineer who are assisted by the
Deputy Commissioner of Labour (Technical), the Deputy Chief Factory Inspecting
Engineer and a team of Specialists Factory Inspecting Engineers. Services of thedivision are decentralized through District Factory Inspecting Engineers‟ officers. The
Division of Occupational Hygiene assists the Factory Inspectorate by carrying out
environmental and biological monitoring of workplaces. This Division is headed by
the Commissioner of Labour (Occupational Hygiene).The National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health deals with policy matters and training in OSH.
Enforcement of the Factories Ordinance takes place through the following activities

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Inspection of factories• Registration of factories• Approval of building plans• Investigation of accidents• Attend coroner’s courts to giveexpert evidence• Investigation of complaints• Institute legal actions• Conduct safety awarenessprogrammers• Analysis of accidents

Appointment of authorized officers
The other important activities being,• Advisory services for improvementof work environment in factories• Participation in national
committees about Safety & Healthof work personal• Safety auditing of factories• Preparation of curriculum on
Safety, Health & Welfare foreducational institutions such as
ICTAD, NAITA, NIBM and NIPM.

Occupational Hygiene DivisionThis organization was established to serve as a research and monitoring unit to support
industrialists to maintain the work environment of factories as laid down under the
Factories Ordinance. On request from the occupier of a factory, it undertakes
monitoring of the working environment, conducts biological monitoring, conducts
audits on occupational health and safety and awareness programmes, based on thefindings, officers of this Division give free technical advice to industrial
establishments to improve the work environment. The unit also conducts training
programmes, especially on health-related work.

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health was established on 28th April
2005 as an affiliated body to the Ministry of Labour and Labour Relations by National
Vocational Safety and Health Institution Act No. 38 of 2009. NIOSH is committed toprovide better working conditions for the working population, through increasing
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awareness of and adherence to appropriate health and safety legislation

Following are the activities conducted by the institute:

Short term training, and programmes
Laboratory services to the industry for environmental and biologicalmonitoring of noise, dust, light, air quality, heat and humidity
Pre and periodic medical examinations
Company medical examinations which include physical examination, blood
testing, lung function testing and audiometric examination.
Audits / risk assessments and hazard identification at the request of theindustry.
Celebration of the national occupational safety and health week incollaboration with all stakeholders. This is an annual event.

Office of the Commissioner of Workmen's Compensation

The main function of this office is to inquire into the claims made by the workmen
who meet with accidents in the course of their employment. This office functions
entire, on a judicial capacity. The primary role of the Commissioner for Workmen’sCompensation, is to implement the Workmen’s Compensation Ordinance No. 19 of1984 as amended finally in the year 2005. The objective of this Ordinance is to obtaincompensation from employers to workmen injured from accidents while at work or toworkmen suffering from diseases attributable to the nature of employment and to theirdependents in case of death of workmen from such causes.
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The Commissioner for Workmen‟s Compensation carries out the following activities
to realize the above objective.

Receipt of complaints claiming workmen’s compensation.
Conducting inquiries into the accepted applications for compensation andsettlement of the problem either by obtaining the claim or by rejecting it.
Collection of compensatory payments from employers.
Payment of compensation to disabled or diseased workmen or to thedependents of dead workmen.

Other related Institutes working on OHS
Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medicine
The focal point for occupational health and safety in the healthcare sector lies with the
Occupational Health Unit of the Directorate of Environmental and Occupational
Health of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medicine. The primary objective of
the Occupational Health Unit is to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate the National
Occupational Health programme of the Ministry of Health
The Directorate of E&OH has embarked on a programme to develop occupational
health of all workers in workplaces in Sri Lanka. The main objectives of the
programme being,

1. To promote and maintain the highest degree of health among workers
2. To prevent adverse effects on health caused by the working conditions among
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workers
3. To protect workers from occupational risks resulting from factors adverse to health

4 The implementation of the occupational health activities in the health sector are
carried out mainly through the primary health care units of the Ministry of Healththrough the Medical Officers of Health (MOOH) and the Public Health Inspectors(PHII). The MOOH and PHII are expected to visit workplaces and identify hazards inthe work environment, advice on preventive and protective measures, carry out healthpromotion activities, advice on basic health facilities, such as, safe drinking water,
sanitary latrines, meal and changing rooms, adequate washing facilities, and facilities
for first-aid at workplaces.

National Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS)
The primary health care staff of the Ministry of Health is trained at the NIHS at
Kalutara. The NIHS provides basic training in occupational health to these officers.

Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI)SLSI is a certification body for OHSAS 18001:2007. It refers to Occupational Healthand Safety Management Systems and sets requirements on occupational health andsafety aspects of any organization. OHSAS 18001 has been developed to becompatible with the ISO 9001(Quality) and ISO 14001 (Environment) management
systems standards, in order to facilitate the integration of quality, environment andoccupational health and safety management systems by organizations that wish to doso.

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Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI)
There are twelve export processing zones (EPZs) that operate under the purview of the
BOI. There are also other BOI enterprises that operate outside the EPZs in Sri Lanka.
The labour laws of the country are also applicable to BOI enterprises, and the Ministry
and the Department of Labour are responsible for enforcement of these regulations.
There are Industrial Relations Officers employed under the BOI, who are responsible
for providing advisory services and guidance to employers and employees in fosteringcloser labour-management cooperation at the enterprise level on all aspects in the areaof industrial relations through routine inspections. They are also expected to conduct
compliance audits which include audits on health and safety.

Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC)
The main function of the organization is to look after the interest of its member
establishments on matters related to labour law and industrial relations. The EFC also
makes representations on behalf of employers to the Government, Ministry of Labour,
Department of Labour and other relevant agencies on matters pertaining to labour
policy, labour legislation, wages, etc. and is recognized as the representative employer
organization in Sri Lanka by the Ministry of Labour and the International Labour
Organization. Direct services to members include advice on matters pertaining tolabour law, industrial relations and human resource management, representation inlabour courts, facilitation of dispute settlement and collective bargaining agreements
and training.

Ceylon National Chamber of Industries (CNCI)The Ceylon National Chamber of Industries is the premier industries‟ chamber in the
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country which is established by the act of parliament. The membership of the chambercomprises of small industries. The Chamber conducts training programmes for theirmembership on OSH.

Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA)
CIDA was established as the successor to the Institute for Construction Training andDevelopment (ICTAD) under the provisions of the Construction Industry Development
Act No. 33 of 2014. Among the many training programmes conducted by CIDA, thefollowing programmes are conducted related to health and safety in the constructionindustry.
 Construction safety & occupational health training programme Diploma course in construction occupational safety and health (DCOSH)
 Certificate course in construction occupational safety and health (CCOSH)

International Labour Organization (ILO)
ILO provides technical assistance to its member states through a Decent Work Country
Programme (DWCP), which details the policies, strategies and results required torealize progress in each country, towards the goal of decent work for all.

World Health Organization (WHO)WHO‟s work on occupational health is governed by the Global Plan of Action on
Workers

achieve full coverage of all workers, including, farmers, migrants, andworkers in small enterprises and the informal sector to essential interventions andbasic health services for the prevention and control of occupational and work-relateddiseases and injuries.
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Training/ Education programs
The employed women play a prominent role in the production process of Sri Lanka.
the Department of Labour investigate the vocational rights, safety, and providing forthe health and welfare facilities of women. Similarly, the elimination of child labour inorder to safeguard children who are the lifeblood of nation is also look into.
Accordingly, the Department of Labour has engaged in the activities for the safety of
employed women and safeguards the rights of children.
Programs workshops, outbound trainings for school children, for all levels of staff
categories in public/private organization are being continuously carried out.
Different kinds of labour surveys are carried out with a collaboration of public/ privateorganizations.

Lapses and recommendations

Legislation and enforcement
1. There are limited numbers of Factory Inspecting Engineers to enforce the provisionsof the Ordinance island wide. As a result, inspection of factories does not meet fullcoverage. It is recommended that categories such as medical officers of health, andpublic health inspectors, who are widely distributed throughout the island be utilized to
conduct preliminary inspections after training.
2. There is a need to ensure registration of all factories to reveal the number ofindustries from household to large scale enterprises in this country.
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Reporting of accidents and injuries to the factory inspectorate is poor. All industries
should be informed of the importance of maintaining records on accidents and injuries
and the importance of reporting accidents and injuries to the factory inspectorate..
Even though occupational accidents are reported to some extent, there is no
notification of occupational diseases. A mechanism should be developed for thedetection and reporting of occupational disease. Medical officers with necessary
knowledge and skills should be produced to meet this requirement.
4. The Act also envisages the appointment of a multidisciplinary team of inspectors to
perform inspections of workplaces. This would require the recruitment and training ofa large cadre of officers from different fields. It is important to ensure the training of
required categories of staff, utilizing the existing training facilities and establishingadditional facilities.

Occupational Health and safety programme of the Ministry of
Health
6. Occupational health services should be integrated to the primary health care servicesof the country. Directorate of Environmental and Occupational Health (E&OH) should
be strengthened by recruiting the required number of trained medical officers in
occupational health facilitate the provision of occupational health services at the grassroot level. Establishment of Environmental and Occupational Health Units at districtlevel will enable better facilitation and implementation of the occupational healthprogramme in the country.

Development of human resources in occupational health andsafety7. Human resources trained in occupational health and safety needs to be strengthened.
Committee be appointed with the representation from the Department of Labour,
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Ministry of Health, Faculty ofP a g e 16 | 20

Medicine and industry to plan the curricula for such training and identify institutions
that would undertake training.
9. The experience gained from professional organizations that have already taken theinitiative to introduce OSH subjects in their courses should be utilized to introduce
such programmes in courses conducted by other professional bodies.
10. It is recommended that all workplaces establish workers' councils or safetycommittees with representation from employees and management to promote OSH
activities.

Laboratory facilities
11. At present laboratory facilities for the analysis of heavy metals and toxins arelimited. The existing laboratories should be upgraded with enhance capacity to carryout investigations.

Industries
12. Garment industries now have a declared policy on OSH, a safety officer tocoordinate
OSH activities and safety committees to implement safety activities
All factories should be encouraged to establish a system of communication for OSH,
which system would, in turn, provide a mechanism for educating workers in safety
practices and preventing occupational accidents and diseases.

Proposed Occupational Safety, Health and Welfare at WorkAct
13. The proposed Occupational Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act which is long
pending should be finalized and speedily enforced to ensure coverage of all
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workplaces in respect of health and safety. Early action should be taken to train andappoint the proposed cadre of inspection personnel and careful consideration should begiven when appointing members to the

Diseases (COVID-19) related measures

We got through first wave of COVD successfully.
His Excellency president commands promptly
Health sector involvement is excellent; they are dedicated for patient careThree military forces and police are in action for intelligence works, tracing tracking
sources and providing coronatine facilities, improving infrastructure,
Donors and volunteers are at work.
Welfare societies, priests are at work,
Majority of Citizens start their own planting/agricultural work, stay calm at home
Avoid social gatherings as much possible
Keep social distance at everywhere as much as possible.
Government provides basic needs for victims and concessions on all aspects to thecitizens.
Any building having customer relations they keep records of each and every person
enter in to the premises.

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References
Report on Situational Analysis on Occupational Health and Safety in Sri Lanka
Department of Community Medicine,
Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo-2016
Annual reports – Department of Labour

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