The ASEAN-OSHNET (ASEAN Occupational Safety and Health Network) has its origin in the ILO Programme for the Improvement of Working Condition and Environment (PIACT), which was launched in 1976. At an ILO seminar held in 1984 for the ASEAN countries, it was recommended to establish a regional center to collect and disseminate information with in ASEAN and to manage research and training for the improvement of working condition and environment 

      The idea to develop a project network in improving condition was agreed by the First ASEAN Labour Technical Working Group Meeting held in October 1984 inManila, and then proposal was approved by The 5th ASEAN Labor Minister Meeting held in Manila at the same time.

      In 1995, the ASEAN Secretariat obtained UNDP funding of conduct a feasibility study to establish an ASEAN Training Center/network for Improvement of Working Condition and Environment. The feasibility study was conducted in 1996, and workshop to review the feasibility study was convened in Manila in October 1996. The workshop attended by headed of NationalOSHCenter and national experts from seven ASEAN member countries, agreed to the following five recommendations:

1. To establish the ASEAN-OSHNET among the National OSH Centers in ASEAN members countries
2. To form an ASEAN-OSHNET Coordinating Board comprising the heads ofNational OSH Centers or their equivalent, which report directly to ASEAN Subcommittee on Labour Affairs (ASCLA). The Board will oversee the operation of the ASEAN-OSHNET, the planning and implementation of its Plan of Action.
3. The ASEAN-OSHNET Coordinating Board will meet twice a year, and its immediate task will be to establish the secretariat of the network.
4. That the ASEAN-OSHNET was considered as a flagship project of ASCKA, and,
5. To include six projects under the Proposed Four Year Plan of Action (FYPA).

The organization of the ASEAN-OSHNET comprises a Coordinating Board and Secretariat. The Coordinating Board decides policy direction, plan of action and designates the Secretariat.

The Secretariat represents the ASEAN-OSHNET in administrative and operational matters, and manages the programme implementation.

ASEAN-OSHNENT Coordinating Board and Its Function

       The Coordinating Board comprises one representative from each ASEAN member country, as designated by the respective government, a representative of the Secretary-General of ASEAN (ex-officio). The representative of each member country is preferably the head of the National Occupational Safety and Health Centre, or its equivalent.

What are benefits for Southeast Asia?

       Programmes of the ASEAN-OSHNET will increase awareness, knowledge and skill in OSH for all concerning parties. The multiplier effects will encourage and motivate industrial society, including small and medium enterprises to implement OSH at their workplaces properly and improve their working conditions. These efforts will contribute significantly to the promotion of human resources development, and to the creation of productive and competitive manpower, as one important component of Hanoi Plan of Action.

       In addition, harmonization of standards and guidelines will minimize technical barrier among ASEAN countries in dealing with AFTA and globalization. The programme will also accelerate the free of OSH professional and other services in the region, and realize the vision of “a partnership in dynamic development” as stated in the ASEAN Vision 2020 Statement.