Occupational Safety and Health Needs in Sierra Leone’s Agricultural SMEs

Safer Farms, Stronger Workforce: Sierra Leone Champions Agricultural Safety

Agriculture employs over 60 percent of Sierra Leone’s workforce, yet it remains one of the country’s most hazardous sectors. From machinery accidents to chemical exposure, farmworkers face daily risks that threaten their health, productivity, and livelihoods.

Recognizing these challenges, the Ministry of Employment, Labour, and Social Security, in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Sierra Leone Labour Congress (SLLC), and the Sierra Leone Employers Federation (SLEF), is leading efforts to make agriculture safer and more sustainable. A new initiative is now underway to develop a national occupational safety and health (OSH) framework tailored specifically to agricultural small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

By promoting safer practices, this effort aims to boost productivity, align businesses with labour laws, and strengthen livelihoods across the agricultural value chain.

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Bringing Safety to the Fields: National Workshop

From September 4 to 6, 2025, the Ministry of Employment, Labor, and Social Security hosted a national workshop in Makeni City at the Wusum Hotel. In partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Sierra Leone Labor Congress (SLLC), and the Sierra Leone Employers Federation (SLEF), the event assessed occupational safety and health (OSH) needs and began structuring a national OSH framework for agricultural small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). With agriculture engaging over 60 percent of the workforce yet remaining highly hazardous, the workshop was a crucial step toward safer, healthier, and more productive workplaces.

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Leaders Call for a Culture of Safety and Accountability

Sarah Thomas Kamara, Vice President of the SLLC, reminded participants that “safety is not optional — compliance requires obeying the law.”

Yvette Kargbo of the SLEF stressed the need for a practical OSH manual tailored to the realities of smallholder farms and agribusinesses, noting that “good safety practices drive both compliance and productivity.”

Aiah Lebbie, Deputy Secretary at the Ministry, highlighted daily risks such as chemical exposure and machinery accidents, urging collaboration “to ensure every worker returns home safely.”

Closing the session, Abdul Karim Conteh, Director at the Ministry of Labour, reaffirmed that protecting agricultural workers is not just a labour issue — it is “central to national development.

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Collaboration for Practical Solutions

Participants worked in groups to review reference materials, identify gaps, and outline the structure of the forthcoming OSH manual for agricultural SMEs. The collaborative design ensured that the framework reflects the real-world conditions faced by small enterprises — from resource limitations to informal practices.

Rather than producing theoretical guidelines, discussions focused on simple, actionable safety measures that SMEs can adopt immediately, such as proper storage of chemicals, use of protective gear, and safe machine operation. This approach ensures that the OSH manual will be practical, context-specific, and sustainable.

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A Milestone for Safer Agricultre

The 2025 OSH workshop in Makeni marked a major milestone in strengthening Sierra Leone’s agricultural workforce. By bringing together government, employers, and workers in one forum, the event reinforced a shared vision: building a culture of prevention, accountability, and care across the sector.

As the national OSH framework takes shape, its success will be measured not only in policies written but in lives protected, accidents prevented, and workplaces transformed — ensuring that every farmer, processor, and worker contributes to a safer, more prosperous Sierra Leone.