SENIOR Occupational Safety and Health Officer (OSH), Roydon Croal, along with two other officers from the Ministry of Labour’s OSH Department, on Friday, inspected several workplaces located in Georgetown.

The construction, restaurant and business services sectors were the target.

According to information posted in the ministry’s Facebook page, a safety talk was conducted with construction employees of Monte Cristal which is currently under construction. The areas discussed included workplace hazards, accident prevention and the reporting of accidents and fall protection.

In addition to this, the officers handed over several brochures containing information about Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), workplace hazards, workplace accident prevention and information about the OSH Department to the respective employers and employees.

The ministry’s OSH Department will continue to engage construction workers and contractors in the construction sector through sensitization sessions, brochures, safety talks and other forms of engagement.

The ministry emphasised that OSH officers should be allowed to enter, inspect, and examine any industrial establishment and each part thereof, at any hour of the day or night.

According to the ministry, during these inspections, documents would be requested. These areas are: Accident Register; Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Policy – to be posted in a conspicuous place in the workplace; Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act, Chapter 99:06 – to be posted in a conspicuous place in the workplace; HIV/AIDS Policy- required for industrial establishments with over five (5) employees (all businesses in Guyana) and OSH Registration- First Registration (1000.00) and Renewal (500) Yearly.

During inspection by the OSH officer, the following would be inspected: First- aid kit – Adequate supplies which should not include tablets which are not permitted; fire extinguishers which must be mounted and serviced yearly; potable drinking water facilities which are to be provided; housekeeping and washroom facilities for both male and female.
To contact the OSH Department persons can call 225-7008, 225-8803 or 225-8801.