SAFE use of chemicals at the workplace was on Thursday placed under the spotlight when stakeholders met at Herdmanston Lodge, Queenstown, Georgetown to strengthen safety regulations.

At the forum, Industrial Relations Consultant to the Ministry of Social Protection, Francis

Carryl made a presentation on the Draft Regulation on the Safe Use of Chemicals under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
In Guyana, thousands of chemicals are used in substantial quantities and many new chemicals are introduced into the market each year.
Against this backdrop, Carryl said a systematic approach to safety in the use of chemicals at work is needed urgently.

“Chemical and safety are important issues we need to focus on every day of our lives….We are here to examine, discuss and deliberate over the development of regulations which will be directly related to the safe use of chemicals in the workplace,” he said.
Underscoring that the Health Act needs to be further strengthened, Carryl said this would be for the benefit of workers, employers, the environment and the nation as a whole.
He said this is in keeping with Guyana’s commitment for the development of a green economy.

Noting that it is vital for the emerging oil and gas industry, the industrial relations consultant said the United Nations 2016 development report underscores the need for the development of people in society.
“In the context of development, chemicals can be very useful. It is necessary to ensure and implement steps to control the potential risks for workers, workplaces, communities and the environment,” he said.

He added that any legislation or regulation impacting safety in the use of chemicals at the workplace must be holistic as well as dynamic.
Legislation, he said, should be capable of yielding the kind of results which do not contravene the human development agenda.

Meanwhile, National Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health, Chairman Earl Morris explained that an effective control of chemical risks at the workplace requires an efficient flow of information on potential hazards and safety precautions to be taken.
He said this flow of information should be followed by daily action by employers to ensure that the necessary measures are taken to protect workers and consequently the public and the environment.

Morris said all chemicals used at work, including impurities, by-products and intermediates and wastes that may be formed, should be evaluated to determine their hazards.
As such, he said this should ensure that employers are provided with a mechanism for obtaining from their suppliers information about the chemicals used at work to enable them to implement effective safety.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Act: “An employer shall ensure that a hazardous chemical is not used, handled or stored at a workplace unless the prescribed requirement concerning identification, chemical safety data sheets and workers instruction and training are met.”