Today, (Monday 20 June) the two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that lays out a programme of joint activities to create safer, healthier and more sustainable workplaces in the countries where the EBRD invests.
Under the MoU, IOSH and the EBRD will work together to influence policy and practice in occupational safety and health. They will also jointly seek to improve safety and health standards at industry level.
The document provides for an exchange of information and ideas between the two organisations and the sharing of good practice and expertise across different sectors.
Shelley Frost, Executive Director of Policy at IOSH, said: "We are delighted to have signed this MoU with the EBRD, with whom we already have a very successful working relationship.
"Our organisations align in a number of core strategic principles and the MoU now formalises this relationship, as well as setting some specific objectives with a programme of work.
"This strategic alignment will allow IOSH to continue to reach out to developing countries and enhance safety and health standards."
Alistair Clark, EBRD Managing Director, Environment and Sustainability, said: "Health and safety issues in projects we fund are priority areas for the Bank. With assistance from IOSH, our plan is to help companies and industries in the countries where we invest adopt international standards for safety and health in the workplace."
The EBRD is a multilateral bank committed to the development of market-oriented economies and the promotion of private and entrepreneurial initiatives in more than 30 countries from Morocco to Mongolia and from Estonia to Egypt.
IOSH and the EBRD have already worked together on a number of projects, including sending scanning equipment for underground electric cables to Moldova for use by excavation workers. They have also provided training on the use of this equipment.
Today's agreement was signed at EBRD headquarters in London and was followed by a roundtable discussion involving other safety and health organisations.
The topics discussed at the roundtable were how occupational safety and health can have a global impact using a local approach, the areas to focus on which will return the greatest impact, and professionals with the capabilities to deliver occupational safety and health needs globally.
