impacting 13,000 workers in 2024

MINISTER of Labour Joseph Hamilton announced during an end-of-year press conference, that the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) department conducted an impressive 1,381 inspections across high- and low-risk workplaces in 2024.

This extensive effort included inspections in both the formal and informal sectors throughout Georgetown and Regions One to 10. Notably, 673 of these inspections were conducted in high-risk workplaces, marking a remarkable 68 percent achievement over the 400 high-risk inspection target set for the year. The proactive inspections have positively impacted approximately 13,000 workers, reinforcing the importance of workplace safety in Guyana.

While some breaches of the OSH Act were noted during inspections, Minister Hamilton highlighted the positive responses from various employers.
He stated, “We have been able to promote a joint-responsibility system for safety and health at work.” This initiative has led to the establishment of health and safety committees in workplaces, as mandated by law for organisations with more than 19 registered employees.

In the oil and gas sector, the OSH department collaborated with the Department of Labour to conduct nine offshore inspections. These inspections were carried out on several drill ships, including Stena Drill Max, Stena Carron, and Noble Tom Madden, as well as on three Floating Production and Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels: Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, and Liza Prosperity. These visits provided ministry representatives with opportunities to engage directly with management and employees on board, ensuring they understand their roles and responsibilities under Guyana’s OSH Act.

In addressing workplace accidents and fatalities, Minister Hamilton reiterated, “One death is too many.” He reported a decline in workplace fatalities from 32 in 2020 to 22 in 2023; however, the number rose back to 32 in 2024, primarily in the mining and construction sectors. The OSH department investigated approximately 176 out of 543 accident reports this year, revealing that most non-fatal accidents occurred in agriculture, while fatal incidents were concentrated in mining and construction.

The minister pointed out a five percent decrease in non-fatal accidents compared to the previous year, but a concerning 60 percent increase in fatal accidents. These fatalities were mainly attributed to unsafe work systems and conditions. Additionally, the OSH department received and investigated 33 complaints regarding workplace injuries, which were referred to the National Insurance Scheme for compensation.
Emphasising the broader implications of health and safety, Minister Hamilton stated that the issue extends beyond workplaces to homes, warning that a cultural change in Guyana regarding occupational safety and health is essential. He concluded with a call to action, urging all stakeholders to foster a safer environment for workers.

To further promote workplace safety, the OSH department successfully conducted 14 training programmes for 257 members of joint workplace safety and health committees across various sectors. Additionally, seven lectures and seminars were held, benefiting 362 workers, including 94 representatives from the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Through OSH Talks, 832 workers were sensitised, and approximately 90 members from ministries learned about good safety practices. In the construction sector, three seminars were conducted, reaching about 190 participants and highlighting the ongoing commitment to improving workplace safety in Guyana.

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