Railway Staff Awareness Training on Environmental, Social and Safety Standards

In the framework of the beginning of the implementation of the Rehabilitation and Construction Project of the Durres-Tirana-Rinas line financed by the EBRD and in order to increase the capacity of the Albanian Railway staff, on October 27, 2020 in the premises of the Albanian Railway Directorate was organized a one-day training. The following topics were addressed in this training:

• Awareness on occupational Health and Safety;
• Environmental Awareness – National and EBRD Criteria;
• Social Awareness – National and EBRD Criteria;
• Occupational Health and Safety Awareness

Occupational Health and Safety has already become an inseparable factor for all sectors and mainly for those major infrastructure intervention projects where the risk incidence is higher. A systematic approach to prevention and protection, which contributes to the reduction of incidents and occupational diseases in a meaningful way by making economic activity more effective. By the entry into force of specific legislation, the importance of monitoring and implementing management systems for Occupational Health and Safety has been emphasized.

In the framework of capacity building in this aspect as well, the Albanian Railways has launched a training program on the topics of Environment, Social Affairs, Safety and Health (SSO). This program was created in cooperation with strategic partners such as the EBRD and aims to train staff in key roles by 2020, to continue further during 2021 with the staff of the most important departments and projects that SSO is implementing and intends to implement in the future

The Safety and Health Program is divided into 3 basic pillars:

During the first session, the European Normative Framework and the Albanian Legislation for health and safety at work were treated in practical and detailed terms:

• A detailed vision on European Norms and Albanian Legislation
• Specifics of Law no. 10237, on safety and health at work
• Risk Assessment Document
• Monitoring authorities in our country
• Duties and Rights for health and safety at work for every professional figure

• Environmental Awareness Training – National and EBRD Criteria

Environmental Awareness Training provides a practical overview of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process and its requirements. This is basic level training for the Module ‘National and EBRD Criteria for Environmental and Social Issues’ and includes EBRD PR 1 and 10 standards.

The content of the training includes:

• Overview of the EIA process and implementation, including how these are currently transposed into Albanian legislation and EBRD PRs (1 & 10).
  • Short presentation of:
    • Screening – criteria for determining the type of EIA;
    • Scope – Definitions;
    • EIA steps;
    • KTA approval schedule;

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) systems have been implemented in developing countries, usually as a legal requirement of the development control process. The EIA training identified the main stages of the evaluation process and provides advice and guidance on EIA management from HSH projects by implementing EBRD PR1 and 10 Requirements.

• Social Awareness Training – National and EBRD Criteria

The purpose of the training was to raise staff awareness of social issues that arise as a result of project implementation in relation to the communities affected by the project and the staff. Social Affairs Management addresses issue identification, mitigation measures, management and monitoring of social activities in line with the EBRD Environment and Social Policy as well as international best practices.

Topics covered in the training include:

• Code of Behavior ;
  • Work conditions;
• • Gender issues;
• • Internal grievance mechanism;
• • Relationships with stakeholders;
• • Mechanism of complaints to third parties;
• • Safety and health of the community;
• • Land acquisition process;

This training was held by the Support Team of PIU (companies Ardanuy & SIM.SPA) who has a rich experience in managing and contributing to projects. Trainers use case studies from their own experience to illustrate and expand the content of the training.

The training program will continue with other topics in more detail and aims to train all administrative and technical staff engaged in the management and operation of the Durrës- Tirana-Rinas line.