Cooperative agreement no. 519-0372-A-00-9573-00 with the Industrial Foundation for the Prevention of Occupational Hazards (FIPRO) to expand its occupational safety program

FIPRO will strengthen its organizational capacity for the project by increasing staff, purchasing equipment and vehicles, and establishing a reference library on occupational health for use by its own personnel and by Salvadoran businesses and workers. To evaluate the risk of work-related accidents and illnesses, FIPRO will develop a data base on various indicators (e.g., labor accidents and level of contaminants), and will use these indicators to conduct a nationwide survey on occupational health and safety. International experts will help FIPRO carry out a series of training activities for workers, businesses, and government personnel. Those to be trained will include: (1) technical personnel of FIPRO and the Ministry of Labor via two overseas courses; (2) 6,000 employees (managers, supervisors, and workers) from 60 firms through conferences/seminars and through 24 training modules for use at the firm-level; and (3) national and international investors via a conference and workshop on applying national and international safety standards to free zones and industrial development parks. To help firms improve working conditions, FIPRO will conduct 40 onsite visits to evaluate worksite conditions, using specialized equipment to measure levels of toxic agents. Additionally, FIPRO will assist businesses in purchasing protective equipment and in developing medical programs at worksites and company clinics. To increase national awareness of occupational safety and health issues, FIPRO will carry out an educational campaign using a variety of communication tools, including press releases, pamphlets, magazines, posters, and videos. FIPRO will review national and international policies on occupational health in order to develop a proposal for the modification of Labor Code"s provisions related to occupational safety and hygiene. Finally, to integrate different sectors in the occupational safety program, FIPRO will promote the establishment of an Intersectoral Commission, which will advocate the formation of a National Council on Occupational Health.