LINDEN’S Mayor Waneka Arindell said that as the country observes Occupational Health and Safety and Month, Guyanese not only need to be further edified on its importance, but there is a clear need for a shift in persons’ attitude toward safety and health.

On Friday, at the Occupational Health and Safety Month Awareness and Fitness Walk in Linden, workers took the street, marching under the theme, “Generation Safe and Healthy by improving the safety and health of young workers.” The Linden Hospital Complex, the Linden Utility Services Cooperative Society Limited, the LINMINE Secretariat, the Guyana Police Force, BOSAI Minerals Group Guyana Inc., Linden Mayor and Town Council, Guyana Water Inc. and the Guyana Forestry Commission were among entities represented.

The walk commenced at 07:00hrs at the Linden Hospital Complex and concluded at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground, Mackenzie, Linden. It was followed by a workout session and a programme.

Arindell, in her presentation, said that the causes of accidents must be dealt with, so that the suffering resulting from them can be prevented.

“It must be emphasised that the participation of every worker is also essential in order to implement solutions to effectively improve worker health and safety, and not just physically, but more and more we must also begin to pay attention to workers’ mental health and well-being. “The best prepared guidelines will have little impact unless the young workers themselves see the need to cooperate, adhere to these guidelines and are also on the other hand able to express themselves on issues and make proposals based upon their own experiences in the workplace,” the newly elected mayor highlighted.

Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott, stated that for too long, employers have considered safety functions as too expensive, consequently, exposing young workers who are usually vulnerable to unsafe practices.

“Generally, workers enter the world of work physically fit and healthy and they expect that they should leave the same way…They participate in industry, government and enterprise, to make meaningful contributions to society and to enjoy a good life, but a good life cannot be attained and sustained if the work environment and conditions of work for which employers are mostly responsible are unsafe and even perilous,” Minister Scott added.

To the participants of the walk, he urged, “get involved in OSH committees in your work place…let us help to educate the younger ones on the importance of practising safety at the work place.

“Youths are the future leaders in our community. We need them so that we can carry our country forward in getting to the best life and to get the best life you must have the inclusion of occupational health and safety,” said Scott.