Decent Work for Factory Workers: Analyzing the Health and Safety Provisions in the Factories Act CAP 441 of Zambia

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Factories Act Cap 441 in safeguarding occupational health and safety for factory workers in Zambia. The research was guided by three objectives to analyse the adequacy of the provisions of the Factories Act Cap 441 relating to workplace safety to compare Zambia’s legislative and practical approach to occupational safety with that of South Africa and the United Kingdom and to assess Zambia’s alignment with international labour standards relating to occupational health and safety. The study found the Factories Act provides a foundation for occupational safety but it remains outdated and Inadequate in addressing modern industrial hazards. The implementation of the Act is significantly hindered by weak institutional enforcement capacity, inadequate labour inspections, limited worker awareness and minimal employer accountability. The relative assessment showed that South Africa and the United Kingdom employ more proactive safety systems characterised by strong regulatory authorities, mandatory workplace safety committees, worker participation and strict enforcement mechanisms. The research also found that although Zambia has agreed to key International Labour Organization agreements, the actual inclusion and achievement of these standards in routine practice are still lacking. The study concluded that to achieve better workplace safety in Zambia, it will take more than just new laws and more enforcement of existing laws. It will also take an institutional reform of the entities responsible for workplace safety, increased participation by workers in the dialogue about safety and a good deal of collaboration, both nationally and internationally to ensure that safety is simply a part of work everywhere, all the time that work is done safely. More collaboration and a better safety dialogue among all the partners of the International Labour Organization, including the Zambian government, workers and employers is essential to ensure good workplace safety in Zambia.