BEFORE the 19th Century, there was little concern with Occupational Safety and Health. 
When accidents happened, or a worker’s health was impaired during his work cycle, it was regarded as a normal risk of that occupation and collateral damage.  In the 19th Century, as the Industrial Revolution developed in the West, it was gradually realised that the safety and health of a worker were of concern to the employer, since, if there were no accidents in the work situation and the worker was in good health, his production and productivity would increase.

On his part, the worker, with the growth of alternative employment and Trade Unionism, now understood that his health and safety were more in his long-term interest than his immediate wages.  The State also recognised that a healthy and productive worker and citizen was an asset to it, and governments began to initiate health-and-safety legislation to protect workers.  Various countries have allocated responsibility for the execution of occupational safety and health legislation to various government arms.

In Guyana, responsibility for executing the occupational safety and health legislation has been allocated to the Ministry of Labour, under Minister Hamilton, who has often enjoined workers and employers to closely obey the Labour Laws, including the Health and Safety procedures.  The Ministry has mounted educational programmes for both employers and workers, explaining to them the various types of safety equipment required by the various industries, and the necessity for their usage.

Every year, on Occupational Safety and Health Day, special and comprehensive programmes are arranged with a wider outreach. The provision of occupational safety and health equipment entails a cost to the employer, and many employers are shortsighted and try to avoid their responsibilities, thus endangering or discomfiting their employees.   As part of its duties, the Ministry carries out unexpected visits to employers’ premises (“raids”), and employers could be prosecuted if they are found infringing the Law.  The Ministry is primarily interested in cultivating an ethos of Safety and Health in the workplace among employers and workers, and would only prosecute when necessary.

Employers must be prepared to provide health and safety equipment to all their workers, though the requirements for some occupations are minimal.  In Guyana, the main industries in which accidents and deaths are reported are mining, construction, forestry, and agriculture, and each requires workers to be protected by relevant types of equipment.  Below, we mention several types of safety equipment and the occupations and industries which should have them:
FIRST AID KITS: All industries should have these.  For some industries, the Kits may be more elaborate. In the aeronautics industry, kits may include emergency water supplies, survival ration packs, flare guns, satellite phones, and reflection mirrors, items not required in other industries.

CELL PHONES: All industries and occupations should carry a fully workable cell phone.

EMERGENCY COMPASS: An emergency compass to be carried in aeronautics, forestry,  mining and tourism in forests and mountains.

GLOVES: These are to be used in all industries, the type which is relevant to needs of that industry e.g. medical gloves; electrical gloves.

SAFETY BOOTS: Used in the construction industry such as road and building construction and the special type used in the electrical industry.

HELMETS: Used in manufacturing industries, Forestry, Mining and Construction industries

RAINWEAR (BOOTS AND COAT): Whenever a worker has to work in open air.

TORCHLIGHT: Useful in all safety gear.

SAFETY HARNESS AND SAFETY ROPE: Construction Industry, Forestry and Aeronautics.

EAR MUFFS: Wherever there is excessive noise, e.g., in factories, sawmills, or aeronautics.

HIGH-VISIBILITY VESTS: Used when the worker must be kept in sight e.g. Forestry and Aeronautics.

TACTICAL KNIFE: When workers engaged in open-air industries e.g. Forestry and Aeronautics.

PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND SAFETY MATCHES: Useful in many circumstances, both outdoors and indoors.

RESPIRATORS: These are used in occupations where there is a lot of dust, diseased air, and unpleasant smells, e.g., garbage collecting, sawmilling, spraying, and other painting.
We have pointed out several safety and health equipment that should be used in various occupations. One such obvious infringement is the garbage collectors, who are not furnished with respirators, and to which the Ministry of Labour should immediately turn its attention.