June 2002, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
This guideline applies to places of work associated with IFC projects. The place of work may be a building, an installation or an outdoor area. The guidelines also apply to temporary places of work. IFC project sponsors should ensure that suppliers, service providers, contractors, and subcontractors are required to follow comparable practices.
The guideline covers general aspects of occupational health and safety only. It does not adequately cover high risk activities or sectors requiring advanced labor protection measures. It must for projects involving especially hazardous situations be supplemented with appropriate international standards and guidelines or national standards of equal standing. Supplementary guidelines would thus be needed for e.g. construction sites, sectors such as mining, oil & gas, petrochemicals, etc., and for work involving extensive handling of dangerous substances such as hazardous or toxic compounds, biological agents, radioactive materials, etc.
Assigned employees and visitors to workplaces may be exposed to a variety of personal health and safety risks. The type and level of exposure is generally related to factors controlled by the employer. Such factors include without being limited to workplace design, installations, equipment, tools, work proce-dures, raw materials, byproducts, and the degree and sophistication of employee training. Administrative and managerial facilities generally involve fewer risks and hazards than industrial settings.
Occupational health and safety risks that must be considered by the employer arise from normal functions and operations and during unusual circumstances such as accidents and incidents. The employer is responsible for implementing appropriate national and internationally recognized OHS standards, codes and guidelines. Maximum effectiveness of OHS systems requires the inclusion and meaningful participation of employees in implementation and maintenance of procedures and processes. To achieve meaningful and effective participation, the employer may have to implement a program to change employee culture and attitudes regarding health and safety.
