By: Dr Karen Cummings
(Minister within the Ministry of Public Health)

TODAY Guyana joins the rest of the world in observing “World Day for Safety and Health at Work.” This year, the theme chosen to commemorate this day is: “Safety and Health and the Future of Work.” According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), this year’s theme is inspired by the centennial anniversary of the organisation as it reflects on 100 years of work in improving occupational safety and health within the workplace and looks towards the future in continuing its efforts through major changes such as technology, demographics, sustainable development, including climate change and changes in work organisation.

Safety and health at work is an imperative for all involved. A safe and healthy workplace is conducive to a safe and healthy workforce, which has a direct impact on productivity and profitability.

The correlation between safety and wellness.
There is a critical connection between safety and wellness. However, there is the tendency of some organisations to treat them as separate initiatives. The separation of safety programmes from wellness programmes in the workplace should not be the reality. Some tend to argue that because these two fields approach their objectives from different assumptions, priorities and methods, this coordination may pose a significant challenge. However, within the workplace, wellness and safety go hand-in-hand. A safe worker not only is an employee who follows the safety rules for compliance, but one who is healthy, safe, and attentive. Health and wellness do more than improve the general well-being and morale of a company’s employees; it also could lead to a more productive workplace, where a safer work environment can result in the prevention of injuries and lost man hours.

Establishing safe work spaces.
In the workplace, health and safety regulations are paramount to the well-being of the employee and the employer. Many hazards are present in today’s work environment, and it is the primary responsibility of employers to keep their employees safe at all times. Employees themselves must function in a safe and responsible manner at work.

Health and safety procedures in the workplace help to greatly reduce illnesses and injuries among employees. These procedures can help both employees and employers understand the potential hazards in the work environment. Training in health and safety procedures is important and effective, as it educates employees on proper workplace procedures, practices, and behaviours to prevent possible injuries and illnesses or contamination from improper actions and poor hygiene. Paying for work-related injuries and illnesses can negatively affect the bottom line of any business, which is a big reason why implementation of health and safety procedures is absolutely necessary.

Potential hazards are present in almost every work environment. Equipment, chemicals, certain behaviours and activities, and even furniture can potentially cause injury or harm to workers. Health hazards can range from contamination of food due to unsafe handling or preparation practices, to an infectious disease outbreak caused by improper hygiene and personal care.

If a business deals with certain dangerous chemicals or gases, there is always the risk of improper handling, maintenance, or storage, which could lead to dangerous exposure for workers. In these cases, it is strongly advised that ALL workers must follow specific, hazardous- material handling guidelines.

Simple ways to remain safe at work.
This column cannot provide adequate space to comprehensively explore the many ways employers can create safe work spaces for their employees. However, we will attempt a cursory glance at some very basic steps that can be followed to ensure that employees function in a safe and healthy work environment.

Eliminate potential hazards.
Keep the workplace free of recognised physical and chemical hazards and make sure it is in compliance with Occupational Health and Safety standards, rules, and regulations. Through constant education and internal communication within the workplace, these strategies can serve to remind employees about proper body mechanics, forklift safety, necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), as well as identify ways they can avoid slips, trips, and falls. Employees must be properly trained to identify and report potential problems and safety violations and take immediate steps to have those issues resolved.

Make sure all workers are properly trained.
It cannot be overemphasised that organisations and businesses must provide all their workers with safety training, using language they can easily understand. This training should be given to all new workers as part of their induction process, with refresher courses offered to (or required) for existing workers or when workers change jobs (within the same company).

Ensure workers have the proper equipment.
Employees must have use of safe tools and equipment at all times. These equipment and tools must also be properly maintained. Workplace signage is an effective tool for reinforcing injury prevention. If Personal Protective Equipment are required for a particular job, then employees MUST be provided them as well as wear them at ALL times.

Provide visual safety aids and messages.
Use colour codes, posters, labels and/or signs to warn employees of potential hazards. Additionally, place Occupational Health and Safety posters in all work and recreational areas – and use additional signage to reinforce safety information.

Simple ways to prevent the spread of infections and viruses in the workplace.
There are some very simple but effective measures a person can take to prevent the spread of infections and viruses in the workplace. Here are a few guidelines that you should follow:

* Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds. This is according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If you need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
* Stay home if you are sick (so you do not spread the illness to other people).
* Use a tissue, or cough and sneeze into your arm, not your hand. Turn away from other people.
* Use single-use tissues. Dispose of the tissue immediately and appropriately after use.
* Wash your hands after coughing, sneezing or using tissues.
* If working with children, have them play with hard-surface toys that can be easily cleaned.
* Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth (viruses can transfer from your hands and into the body).
* Do not share cups, glasses, dishes or cutlery.
Workplaces can help by doing the following:
* Having an infection control plan.
* Providing clean hand-washing facilities.
* Offering alcohol-based hand sanitizers when regular facilities are not available.
* Providing disinfectant sprays for cleaning door knobs, handles and other hand-held devices.
* Providing boxes of tissues and encouraging their use.
* Reminding staff not to share cups, glasses, dishes and cutlery. Be sure dishes are washed in soap and water after use.
* Removing magazines and papers from waiting areas or common rooms (such as tea rooms and kitchens).
* Making sure ventilation systems are working properly.
Preserve your health and well-being at all times. Be sure to know all the occupational health and safety procedures of your respective workplaces and follow them carefully. Workplaces of the future will change as a result of the onward march of modernity. However, safety and health at work will evolve with time and must be practised with the same strict adherence.

Safety and health at the workplace must be the priority of all employers and employees.