Lebanon Launches First National OSH Guide to Protect Agricultural Workers

The launch event marked a culmination of over two years of collaborative efforts, involving the Ministry of Labour, ILO’s social partners, and a wide range of stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.

In a landmark move to elevate occupational safety and health (OSH) standards within Lebanon’s agricultural sector, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Lebanon’s Ministry of Agriculture have jointly launched the Occupational Safety and Health Guide in Agriculture for Lebanon. The new guide represents a transformative shift in how worker safety is addressed across Lebanon’s farms, fields, and rural production chains.

The launch event marked a culmination of over two years of collaborative efforts, involving the Ministry of Labour, ILO’s social partners, and a wide range of stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.

A Turning Point for Agricultural Governance

At the launch ceremony, Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani emphasized that the initiative was more than a technical manual—it represents a broader vision for agricultural transformation in Lebanon.

“Today, we are not merely launching a guide, but laying the foundation for a new model of agricultural governance in Lebanon,” Hani said. “This model integrates safety and health into every stage of production and places the dignity and well-being of workers at its core. Safe agriculture is not only a moral duty, but an economic and developmental necessity.”

Agriculture remains one of Lebanon’s most vital economic sectors, employing thousands of Lebanese and Syrian workers. Yet it is also among the most hazardous, with global data showing that one in three fatal occupational injuries occurs in agriculture, making this intervention both timely and necessary.

Grounded in Research and International Standards

The guide was developed in response to findings from the ILO’s Preliminary Assessment of Occupational Safety and Health in Agriculture, conducted in Akkar and Beqaa in May 2022. That assessment identified numerous risks to agricultural workers, including:

• Physical hazards such as heavy lifting, noise, and harsh weather

• Chemical exposure from fertilizers and pesticides

• Mechanical and biological risks

• Ergonomic and psychosocial dangers

• Poor use or absence of personal protective equipment (PPE)

The research also found that most farms operated well below international safety standards, with workers receiving little or no training on hazard prevention or response.

In response, the new OSH guide draws from core international instruments including:

• ILO Convention No. 184 on OSH in Agriculture

• ILO Convention No. 129 on Labour Inspection

• The ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work

It is also aligned with Lebanon’s national labour laws and policies, providing a comprehensive, practical resource for institutions, employers, and workers alike.

Content and Structure: 11 Modules for Real-World Use

The guide consists of 11 in-depth modules covering the entire OSH spectrum:

1. National and international laws and legislation

2. OSH principles and risk assessment

3. Physical hazards

4. Chemical hazards

5. Mechanical and equipment safety

6. Biological risks

7. Ergonomic malpractices

8. Psychosocial hazards and mental health

9. Fire prevention and first aid

10. Special protections for women and children

11. OSH planning, monitoring, and institutionalization

It offers both theoretical knowledge and practical applications, including templates, checklists, and visuals designed for direct use in the field. It also addresses gender-sensitive issues and the particular vulnerabilities of migrant and seasonal workers, a key demographic in Lebanon's rural economy.

Piloted and Validated by Farmers and Trainers

Before its national rollout, the guide was piloted in training sessions for over 400 farmers and agricultural workers in Akkar and Beqaa, in partnership with the René Moawad Foundation (RMF). Feedback from participants was used to fine-tune the content and ensure relevance to Lebanon’s specific agricultural conditions.

In addition, aspiring OSH trainers participated in four-day training programmes to build local capacity and embed the guide within Lebanon’s extension service networks.

International Support Through the PROSPECTS Partnership

The guide is part of the ILO’s broader work under the PROSPECTS Partnership, a global programme funded by the Government of the Netherlands and implemented in collaboration with the IFC, UNHCR, UNICEF, and the World Bank.

Speaking at the event, Netherlands’ Ambassador to Lebanon Frank Mollen reaffirmed the importance of embedding safety in Lebanon’s broader development agenda.

“We are delighted that the topic of safety has become a matter of high interest across Lebanon’s labour market, and specifically in the agriculture sector,” he said. “OSH efforts lead to better working conditions, which ultimately benefit the country as a whole.”

A Milestone for Decent Work in Rural Lebanon

ILO Regional Director for Arab States, Ruba Jaradat, hailed the initiative as a major achievement in advancing decent work and social protection.

“OSH is one of the ILO’s fundamental principles, ensuring that workers can carry out their jobs in safe and dignified conditions,” Jaradat said. “This guide helps protect the rights and well-being of both Lebanese and vulnerable workers who play a vital role in the country’s food security.”

By institutionalizing OSH practices through the Ministry of Agriculture’s extension offices and promoting long-term training and compliance, Lebanon is laying the groundwork for a safer and more sustainable agricultural sector.

The Cost of Inaction

According to the ILO, nearly three million people die annually from work-related accidents and diseases. Occupational injuries cost the global economy approximately 4% of GDP each year. The stakes are even higher in agriculture, where informal labour arrangements and lack of regulation exacerbate risk.

The OSH guide for Lebanon’s agriculture sector represents a critical first step in changing this reality—by making safety a right, not a privilege, and by ensuring that Lebanon’s agricultural transformation leaves no worker behind.