The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) World Bank Project Management Unit recently held an Environment & Social Risk Management Training for around 15 construction workers from Super Construction Company, engaged to complete renovations at the Helena Goldie Hospital in Munda, Western Province.
The training ensures construction workers understand and be able to apply environment, social and health and safety requirements while working on site. It is part of mandatory activities associated with the implementation of Environmental and Social (E&S) Risk Management Responsibilities of the COVID 19 Emergency Response Project funded by World Bank under the MHMS.
Project Management Unit Environmental and Social Safeguards Officer John Paranga Labere, who facilitated the training says, the project requires that work be carried out in a manner that ensures the protection and safety of both people and the environment.
“Contractors are required to comply with the project’s E&S risk management plans and procedures, stipulated in the Code of Environmental and Social Practice (CoESP) including Labour Management Plan (LMP), gender/sexual harassment guidelines as well as local legislations as specified in the contractor’s agreements.
“They are required to disseminate and create awareness within their workforce of E&S risk management compliance, and undertake necessary actions for their effective implementation.
“In addition, they need to observe Waste management and Health and safety plans to uphold good environmental and social management practices in compliance with both the E&S Standards (ESS) of the World Bank and local legislation. Part of the compliance involves getting the workers to understand their roles in applying the standards in construction, and to take necessary precaution to avoid non-compliance.”
The contractors are further required to appoint a health and safety officer at site, who will have the authority to issue directives for the purpose of maintaining the health and safety of all personnel authorized to enter and or work on the site, to take protective measures to prevent accidents, to ensure suitable arrangements are made for all necessary welfare and hygiene requirements and to ensure overall E&S best practices. Each of the workers signed a Code of Conduct at the end of the training as part of the requirement, said Mr Labere.
This is the last of a series of trainings Mr Labere has facilitated for construction site workers for various projects implemented by the MHMS World Bank Project Management Unit across the country.
