Dar to host major regional conference on health, safety

DAR ES SALAAM: OVER 500 health and safety professionals from across the East African countries are set to convene in Dar es Salaam to chart out ways to improve workplace safety in Tanzania and across the entire region.

The conference, to be held next month, is one of the largest gatherings of its kind on the continent. It is organised by the Tanzania Occupational Health and Safety Association (TOHASA).

This year’s theme, “Advancing Health and Safety in Tanzania: A Collaborative Approach to Safer Workplaces in Africa,” highlights a critical issue facing Africa’s growing industries, the need for safe and sustainable work environments.

The conference aims to create a platform for dialogue, collaboration and actionable solutions that can improve workplace safety in Tanzania and across the entire region.

According to a statement issued recently by TOHASA Head of Planning, Mr Manyanda Maziku, the conference represents much more than a gathering of experts, it’s part of a larger movement to ensure the well-being of workers.

“This conference is not just an event, it’s a movement, reflecting on the strong sense of solidarity that has emerged among African nations in recent years. Countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan are showing an increasing commitment to workplace safety and this year’s conference will continue to build on that unity. Mr Maziku said.

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He stressed that the conference will be a platform for collaboration, where professionals can share ideas and inspire action.

“We’re not just talking about safety in isolation, we’re talking about the bigger picture of sustainable development and protecting the people who make it happen,” he added.

According to him, government agencies have been invited to contribute to key discussions about policies and practices.

“We know that creating safer workplaces takes collaboration between the public and private sectors. Government involvement ensures that safety measures are practical and impactful,” he said.

President of TOHASA, Ms Caroline Baraza, shared her pride in a statement on how the conference has evolved over the years.

“Last year’s event in February was incredible. It brought people together in ways we hadn’t seen before. This year, we are raising the bar, welcoming international organisations like World Health Organisation (WHO), International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) to join the conversation,” she said. Ms Baraza highlighted that the organisations bring invaluable perspectives.

“When we bring global expertise to the table, we align ourselves with the best practices worldwide. It’s about learning, adapting and ensuring that African workplaces are just as safe as anywhere else in the world,” she explained.

The conference agenda promises engaging workshops, inspiring keynote speeches and real-world case studies.

“We’re excited to showcase solutions that can be implemented right away. This is about more than learning, it’s about equipping people with tools they can take back to their workplaces,” Ms Baraza added.

The 2025 TOHASA Global Health and Safety Conference promises to be a meaningful step forward for workplace safety in Africa, with the potential to create lasting change for workers across the continent.