…with well-attended symposium

INTERNATIONAL Labour Organisation (ILO) marked the World Day for Safety and Health at Work on Monday , in an effort to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally.This is an awareness-raising campaign intended to focus international attention on emerging trends in the field of occupational safety and health, and on the magnitude of work-related injuries, diseases and fatalities worldwide.

The Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, under this year’s theme: “Safety & health in the use of chemicals at work”, held an award ceremony and symposium yesterday at the Regency Suites in Georgetown.

Speaking at that symposium, Labour Minister Dr Nanda Gopaul had this to say: “The President is listening, the President is acting, and as such, His Excellency President Donald Ramotar, on Friday last, accepted the recommendation made and has agreed; and I therefore would also like to congratulate Deputy Permanent Secretary Mr. Patrick Findlay on his immediate elevation to Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour!”

Minister Gopaul related the Labour Ministry’s move to eliminate and prevent accidents and deaths at workplaces, especially under this year’s theme: ‘We must work together’.
He said incessant development of production and use of chemicals in workplace represent real challenges for the society, and the need for keeping certain chemicals off the market is urgent.

Dr. Gopaul said that finding an appropriate balance between the benefits of chemical use and the preventive and control measures of their potential adverse impact on workers, workplaces, communities and the environment must represent a permanent concern at the same time for the Government, employers, and workers and their organisations.

Dr. Gopaul urged workers to report to the Labour Ministry all accidents that occur at their places of work. He explained that it is mandated by the ministry that employers report same. “The time has come, especially in the construction industry, for safety equipment to be utilised effectively; and it is the obligation of those who contract out to have these necessary steps placed in the contracts, and also to have workers covered by insurance, to protect us as well as our workers”.

Minister Gopaul further highlighted that the health and safety body is putting emphasis on the uses of chemicals in the places of work, and it is imperative for workers to use the necessary gear to protect themselves.

He said people should not be dismissive of this information, but should pay more attention to the uses of the necessary equipment when chemicals are involved.

He said, “The ILO has either banned or severely restricted (the use of) 35 chemicals in the European Union”; and he gave numerous examples that he encountered during his years working in the sugar estates how chemicals can be misused and become detrimental.

Minister Gopaul also took time to reflect on the death of Mr. Ronald Webster, late Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC). He said “I would like to take a moment to express my sympathies to the private sector body on the loss of their chairman, a very distinguished personality, Mr. Ronald Webster, who passed away yesterday (April 27)”.

Mr Dale Beresford of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) congratulated the Ministry of Labour for providing awareness and implementing procedures to deal with occupational safety and health.

He said the records show that 2014 has thus far had the least amount of reported accidents or deaths at a workplace within the last five years. He also said the GTUC was in full support of the works conducted by the Labour Ministry.

The following persons also spoke at the ceremony: Mr Seepaul Narine of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG); Mr Samuel Goolsarran of the Consultative Association of Guyanese Industries (CAGI); and Mr Lincoln Lewis of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), who all congratulated the Ministry of Labour on holding the conference, and insisted that having the necessary laws is the first step, and now implementing the said laws must become priority. In this regard, intensive efforts must be brought to bear to offer a clear response to the continuous growth in chemicals production and changes in the organisation of work in this field.

Prior to World Day for Safety and Health, the Ministry of Labour conducted an essay and poster competition for primary and secondary school students, in accordance with this year’s theme; and with the assistance of the Ministry of Education, all 10 regions were able to participate.

Rosignol Secondary placed first in the essay competition, securing 18 points; while Vreed-en-Hoop Primary placed first in its category with 16 points. Raveena Persaud of Vreed-en-Hoop Primary placed first for the poster competition, securing 17 points.

Celebration of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an integral part of the ILO’s Global Strategy on Occupational Safety and Health, and promotes the creation of a global preventative safety and health culture involving all stakeholders.

In many parts of the world, national authorities, trade unions, employers’ organisations and safety and health practitioners organise activities to celebrate this date.

(By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)