ILO Convention No. 187: The Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health

ILO Convention No. 187 on the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health establishes an international framework to help countries continuously improve the prevention of occupational accidents, work-related injuries and diseases.

Adopted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2006, the Convention promotes a coherent national approach to occupational safety and health (OSH), based on prevention, cooperation and continuous improvement.

1. What is ILO Convention No. 187?

Convention No. 187 aims to promote the development of a national occupational safety and health framework. It encourages countries to establish and progressively strengthen:

• A national OSH policy.
• A national OSH system involving the relevant institutions, authorities, employers and workers.
• A national OSH programme with clear objectives and priorities.
• A national OSH profile to assess the situation and identify areas for improvement.
• A preventive culture that integrates safety and health into working practices.

The Convention focuses on continuous improvement rather than treating occupational safety and health as a one-time compliance exercise.

2. The relationship between Conventions Nos. 187 and 155

Convention No. 187 complements ILO Convention No. 155 on Occupational Safety and Health, which sets out broader principles for national OSH policies and action.

However, the two Conventions are separate international instruments, and ratifying one does not automatically mean ratifying the other.

In June 2022, the International Labour Conference recognized a safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental principle and right at work. Conventions Nos. 155 and 187 were consequently included among the ILO's fundamental conventions.

3. Has Morocco ratified Convention No. 187?

Yes. Morocco ratified ILO Convention No. 187 on 14 June 2019. The Convention is in force for Morocco.

This ratification represents an international commitment to promote a coherent national framework for occupational safety and health and to support continuous improvement in prevention.

However, ratification alone does not establish that every requirement of the Convention has been fully implemented in practice. Assessing implementation requires examining the applicable legislation, institutions, national policies, programmes and their actual application.

Morocco has not ratified Convention No. 155, despite its status as an ILO fundamental convention. The ratification status of each Convention must therefore be considered separately.

4. The national occupational safety and health framework in Morocco

Morocco has national legal provisions addressing occupational safety and health, including provisions contained in Labour Code No. 65-99. These provisions cover aspects of workplace prevention, employers' responsibilities and the protection of workers.

The ILO's occupational safety and health profiles portal lists a Moroccan national OSH profile dated 2017. On the portal, the entries for a national OSH policy and a national OSH programme are marked as “not available.”

This wording should be interpreted cautiously: it describes the information available through that ILO portal and does not, by itself, prove that no relevant national initiative or policy exists.

A comprehensive assessment of Morocco's implementation of Convention No. 187 would require reviewing the current legal framework, official national policies, programmes, institutional arrangements and implementation results.

5. Why is Convention No. 187 important for employers and workers?

The principles promoted by Convention No. 187 are relevant to organisations seeking to strengthen occupational safety and health management.

In practical terms, employers can support prevention by:

• Identifying and assessing occupational risks.
• Implementing appropriate preventive and protective measures.
• Providing workers with relevant safety and health information and training.
• Consulting workers and their representatives on workplace safety matters.
• Monitoring incidents and taking corrective action.
• Reviewing and improving their OSH management practices.

These actions contribute to a preventive culture and can help reduce occupational accidents, injuries and work-related illnesses. The specific legal obligations applicable to each employer must nevertheless be determined under the relevant national legislation.

Conclusion

ILO Convention No. 187 provides an international framework for continuously improving occupational safety and health through national policies, systems, programmes and a strong prevention culture.

Morocco ratified the Convention on 14 June 2019, while it has not ratified Convention No. 155. Understanding this distinction is essential when discussing Morocco's international OSH commitments.

For employers, safety professionals and HSE students, Convention No. 187 is an important reference for understanding how occupational safety and health can be integrated into a coordinated and preventive national approach.

Sources and references

1. International Labour Organization — Convention No. 187:
   https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO::P12100_ILO_CODE:C187

2. ILO — Ratifications for Morocco:
   https://normlex.ilo.org/

3. ILO — National Occupational Safety and Health Profiles:
   https://www.ilo.org/

4. Moroccan Labour Code, Law No. 65-99:
   https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/fr/legislation/details/7371