–to put workers health, safety first, Minister Scott says

THE health and safety of workers was placed on the forefront this past year by the Ministry of Social Protection (MoSP) in the hope of stimulating longstanding development through proper practices.

That’s according to Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott in his 2017 review of the Bureau’s advancement with regard to Occupational Safety and Health (OSH).
Scott said the ministry remains resolute in its obligations, one of which is to give a detailed account of all accidents which occurred in the workplace, but more particularly the deadly ones.

“Our previously stated commitment to complete investigations and report on all accidents, especially those with fatal consequences remains firm, irrevocable,” the minister said in his report.

He said that of the 16 reported workplace accidents for 2017 that have resulted in fatalities, the investigation of all but one have been completed.

In its 2017 approach to health and safety consciousness, ‘Prevention is better than cure’, was a proverb the MoSP took seriously, placing its focus on prevention rather than corrective and punitive measures.

Scott communicated that during the year, the ministry took part in a number of initiatives, in conjunction with relevant laws, and worked towards placing the spotlight on human development.
One of these initiatives was a campaign held in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which sought to promote OSH in the informal economy.

The informal economy, in many developing countries, provides a sizeable amount of employment; however, these workers oftentimes operate under poor working conditions, and none of the benefits of the formal economy.

The two-day workshop, aimed at building capacity of OSH trainers, helping them to sensitise workers in the informal sector, was merely one portion of the ministry’s long-term goal to transform Guyana’s economy altogether.

“That is just one aspect of our drive to transition from the informal economy to a state of formality,” Scott stated, adding: “Without such a transition, several employees would be denied social protection and defeat the agenda of human development in its true sense.”

During 2017, the MoSP also took part in activities such as the promotion of the joint responsibility system of the workplace; schemes to reduce workplace accidents and the development of OSH Regulations Act.

Additionally, consultations were conducted into the Chemical Safety Regulation, Forest Operations Regulation and the finalisation of the National Policy on OSH.

Scott cautioned, however, that as the government and other stakeholders expend efforts to stimulate economic growth, it should not be forgotten that the country’s human resources are important and must be deliberately protected.

“Increased production, productivity, profitability and economic growth are the ultimate objectives of government and every enterprise, but those must not be pursued at the expense and peril of our human resources, which are most valuable,” Minister Scott said.