ILO, EU, and Brazilian Partners Train Coffee Farmers to Improve Health and Safety in Rural Workplaces

The first two-day workshop targeted cooperative leaders, providing them with tools to integrate occupational safety systems into their organizational management.

Efforts to improve working conditions in Brazil's coffee sector took a major step forward as coffee cooperatives, rural unions, and smallholder farmers joined a series of capacity-building trainings focused on occupational safety and health (OSH). The initiative was organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO), through its Vision Zero Fund, in partnership with Brazil's Ministry of Labour and Employment and the National Confederation of Rural Salaried Workers (CONTAR). The activities were co-financed by the European Union.

Held from 28–30 October 2025 in the municipality of Santo Antônio do Amparo in Minas Gerais—the heart of Brazil's largest coffee-producing region—the trainings gathered representatives from five regional cooperatives and more than 80 small producers and rural workers from nearby cities. The initiative is part of the Vision Zero Fund's long-term strategy to promote safe, fair, and sustainable labor practices across global supply chains.

---

Strengthening Safety Culture in the Coffee Value Chain

The first two-day workshop targeted cooperative leaders, providing them with tools to integrate occupational safety systems into their organizational management. Collectively, the five cooperatives support nearly 30,000 members, amplifying the potential impact of improved OSH practices across the region.

Participants explored risk assessment methods, legal labor obligations, and how to ensure members comply with Brazilian National Regulatory Standard NR-31, which outlines health and safety rules for agricultural activities.

"Strengthening OSH capacity within cooperatives is essential to building long-term improvements in Brazil's coffee sector. When cooperatives become prevention leaders, safety culture reaches thousands more workers," said Leandro Costa Marinho, Labor Inspector at Brazil's Ministry of Labour.

---

Training for Farmers and Rural Workers

A third day of training focused on practical, field-level safety for smallholder farmers and wage laborers. Sessions addressed common risks in coffee production, including pesticide handling, machinery use, prolonged repetitive labor, and high exposure to sun and dust.

Participants engaged in hands-on activities demonstrating how low-cost safety improvements—such as proper storage of chemicals, safe mixing techniques, adequate rest periods, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)—can prevent injuries and long-term health problems.

"Empowering rural workers with knowledge of their rights and safe practices is an investment in dignity and life," said Laíssa Pollyana Carmo, Project Coordinator at CONTAR.

---

New ILO Training Materials Launched

The event also marked the official launch of two new ILO manuals designed to support ongoing learning:

• Practical Guide on Safety, Health and Other Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work for Coffee Cooperatives in Brazil – Instructor Manual

• Practical Guide on Safety, Health and Other Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work for Coffee Cooperatives in Brazil – Participant Manual

These resources translate technical regulations into accessible, sector-specific guidance, enabling cooperatives to set safer standards and producers to implement them effectively.

---

A Path Toward Safer and More Ethical Coffee Production

Brazil is the world's largest coffee producer and exporter, responsible for roughly one-third of global supply and employing over 300,000 rural workers. Yet, challenges such as informality, hazardous working conditions, and limited safety awareness persist—particularly among small growers who make up the majority of farms.

The ILO and its partners will continue monitoring progress and offering targeted technical support to ensure that the safety action plans developed during the training are implemented and sustained. Cooperative representatives expressed commitment to sharing knowledge within their communities and strengthening compliance efforts.

"We are transforming research and training into real, lasting change that protects the people behind Brazil's coffee," said Juliana Brandão, National Project Officer at ILO Brazil. "This is only the beginning—we will continue building a safer future for workers and producers."

The initiative forms part of the ILO flagship programme Safety & Health for All, which works globally to promote decent work, responsible production, and a culture of prevention.