Occupational Safety Health seminar Reg 10 – formation of Safety Committee in the pipeline

― Department of Labor to seek better collaboration with partners

― workplace security is vital

― employers urged to be responsible for employees 100 per cent

― medical checkups to become mandatory in the workplace with confidentiality

DPI, Guyana, Friday, April 19, 2019 

“We will work extensively to ensure that every worker gets educated and understands the guidelines when it comes to safety. We at the Ministry of Social Protection take security as a priority.”

It is the responsibility of every worker to be knowledgeable about their rights in the context of occupational health and safety.

Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott highlighted the importance of this, on Thursday, during an Occupational Health and Safety Month forum which was held on the lawns of the Watooka Guest House, Region 10.

A dummy displaying a full body protective suit.

Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott and team examining some of the safety gear on display at the exhibition.

Some of the other booths set up at the exhibition.

Some of the other protective gear at the exhibition.

An employee from Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) displaying his company’s protective gear.

Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott and team examining the safety gear on display at the exhibition.

Dr. Roscoe McDonald giving his presentation.

Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott.

A section of the gathering on the lawns of Watooka Guest House, Region 10.

Some of the other protective gear at the exhibition.

The event was held under the theme, “Safety and Health and the future of work, building on the knowledge and achievement.”

Attendees included members from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Guyana Fire Service (GFS), Linden Hospital Complex (LHS), the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Bosai and the Linden Electricity Company.

In light of a recent accident at the worksite, several of the presentations highlighted the importance of rebuilding trust and the need for regular medical checkups to prevent long term, injuries.

Dr. Roscoe McDonald, from the Linden Hospital Complex, urged the gathering to understand the importance of having good health on the job.

“We at the Ministry of Public Health do have several doctors attached to organisations where records would be kept, in confidentiality, and this always turns out as a plus for the workers in the long run where compensating comes in if a worker becomes ill on the job.”

An extensive interaction session was held between participants and the presenters on the importance of occupational safety and health.

Participants also got the opportunity to wear the various protective gear in the industrial, health, technical and agricultural sectors.

Ayana George.

Images: Department of Public Information.