Her Voice for Safety Reaches from Region Three and Beyond

By Andrea Hendricks

FOR Christa Simmons, safety is not simply a workplace requirement. It is a responsibility that connects her professional life, community service, and ongoing commitment to the people of Region Three.

At 41, Simmons, who hails from Den Amstel, serves as an Occupational Safety and Health Officer with the Ministry of Labour and as Region Three’s health and safety officer. Her work takes her to workplaces across the country, while her community service keeps her closely connected to residents’ concerns at home.

Before entering occupational safety and health, Simmons spent six years travelling to different countries as a Fly Jamaica flight attendant. The airline later ceased operations in Guyana, prompting her to take a new direction.

While taking a break and studying, Simmons applied for an opportunity with the Ministry of Labour. She was successful and began a career that let her stay active rather than sit at a desk all day.

Her responsibilities include workplace health and safety inspections, fatal-accident investigations, seminars and training in and around the country, as well as offshore with employers. “As a Safety and Health Officer, my work involves travelling to different locations on land and water and sitting at the desk in the office, which I gravitated to,” Simmons said.

Community work has also remained important to her. When she was asked to join the Community Development Council in her area, she accepted and became its secretary. “I like to reach out and be of help when called upon,” she told this publication.

Other Talents

Simmons has also built an impressive pageantry profile. In 2007, she won the Miss Jamzone and Bartica Regatta titles, milestones that established her presence in the pageant industry.

In 2008, she represented Guyana at Miss World in South Africa and was named the country’s representative for Face of the Universe in Ghana. She later represented Guyana at the Miss Tourism Queen International pageant in China and the Miss International Elegant Mothers Pageant.

Her connection to pageantry continues through her work as a judge for the Miss Guyana Teen with A Purpose Pageant and as pageant director of the Little Den Amstel Emancipation Pageant.

In her work, Simmons has seen safety breaches treated as normal. “Apparently, Guyanese don’t take their safety seriously at their place of work,” she said.

She is particularly concerned about office ergonomics and the musculoskeletal disorders that can result from sitting for long periods or using office equipment incorrectly. People often take these practices for granted, even as their effects accumulate over time.

Construction sites, she said, present another serious challenge. She described them as “deadly, as persons are going to work daily and not thinking about their own safety until an incident occurs.”

Although employers provide safety gear, Simmons noted that some employees are careless with it. She believes more attention must be paid to worksite safety and urges people to become more safety-conscious.

On community outreach, residents have raised concerns about overgrown vegetation, a lack of streetlights, narrow streets and social issues involving senior citizens’ pensions and public assistance. As a member of the Community Development Council, Simmons’ mission is to address and resolve these issues. The CDC team plans to close its year of activities with a town hall meeting and a Christmas drive for seniors, people with disabilities, and single parents, as it continues projects to make the area beautiful and safe.

Balancing her roles can be challenging, but Simmons credits God with her ability to manage them. “It is only because of God that I am able to do what I do in fulfilling my responsibility towards my family, community and work.” She added, “I am also doing a good job at multitasking.”

She organises herself at the office on Mondays to set the week’s pace, based on the areas and assignments ahead. For the council, planning and organising are done largely online, which is less time-consuming.

For Simmons, one of the most rewarding parts of her work is seeing knowledge lead to action. “I feel satisfied with sharing knowledge when it comes to the Occupational Safety and Health Act, especially when it is received for the first time. Follow-up conversations tell me that the information was received, action will follow, and that is fulfilling to me,” she said. Simmons believes education and guidance should come before penalties when safety rules are breached, although penalties must follow when someone becomes negligent or refuses to make positive changes.

She feels a similar satisfaction when the council responds to a community request, and residents express appreciation after raising an issue.

Looking ahead, she wants workplaces to develop a stronger safety culture. “I would like to see a safety culture being formed and demonstrated in all workplaces by establishing a committee where persons are looking out for each other and for safety hazards in the workplace with their employers.”

She also hopes community members will work together on development, regardless of political affiliation. “The mindset of the people needs to change as they understand their rights and the role of the Government of the day and its responsibility towards all citizens of the country.”

For Simmons, every chapter of her life has prepared her for the next. “Pageantry taught me to project my voice on a global stage, community development anchored me in purpose and occupational safety gives me a solemn duty to protect lives. Across every chapter, my mission has remained the same: to lead with empathy, represent the people with integrity and serve.” Simmons’ journey exemplifies a life dedicated to service, advocacy, and empowerment. Her diverse experiences have equipped her with the skills and insights to drive meaningful change in her community and beyond. Through her work, she continues to inspire others to prioritise safety, engage in community development, and embrace the spirit of collaboration.

Her story shows the impact one individual can have when driven by duty and compassion. As she looks to the future, Simmons remains committed to her mission of fostering safer environments and making her community and region a model. Her unwavering dedication serves as a beacon of hope and a reminder that passion and purpose can drive positive change. With her guidance, Region Three and its residents are poised to thrive, united by a shared commitment to safety and progress.