USAID's Kabul City Initiative Helps Kabul Municipality Improve Staff Safety

The initiative was launched in response to requests from employees for improved worker safety. Sanitation workers, in particular, have been at risk due to the hazardous nature of their work, which includes collecting chemical and medical waste. Training programs were developed to address the critical need for improved safety. Over 1,000 staff members from high-risk departments, including Sanitation, Parks and Greenery, Street Maintenance, and Macrorayon Maintenance, received training on workplace safety. Topics covered included safely collecting hazardous waste, working in areas with high electrical voltage, reinforcing trench walls, and marking construction sites. The training programs were designed to be accessible to employees with limited literacy, with trainers using pictures and simple language to convey safety information. Trainees were provided with standard safety equipment, including steel-toed boots, hard-hats, work gloves, safety glasses, ear protection, and reflective vests. The goal of the training is to significantly reduce injuries and deaths among frontline workers. Kabul Municipality has faced significant challenges in ensuring the safety of its employees. Mayor Younus Nowandish has acknowledged the risks faced by workers, citing a recent incident in which two men repairing streets were killed by a driver. The municipality has taken steps to address these risks, including providing safety training and equipment to employees. The KCI has played a critical role in supporting Kabul Municipality's efforts to improve staff safety. The initiative has provided training and resources to help the municipality address the unique challenges faced by its employees. By prioritizing worker safety, the municipality aims to create a safer and more productive work environment for its employees.