Labour Ministry observes World Occupational Safety and Health Day 2013

Apr 27, 2013 News

In observance of World Occupational Safety and Health Day on Sunday, the Ministry of Labour yesterday hosted an Occupational Safety and Health Fair at the Girl Guides Pavilion on Brickdam. This was done under the theme- “Prevention of Occupational Diseases”.
The fair also included a workshop which sought to explain that accidents don’t just happen, that they are caused, and that “prevention is better than cure”.

A section of the attendees of the workshop yesterday.

Norris Witter, President of the Guyana Trade Union Congress, during the workshop, said that despite the fact that Guyana has one of the most comprehensive laws targeting the issue of occupational diseases, many companies do not entirely abide by these laws.
“Who here has ever partaken in a Medical Surveillance Programme hosted by your company?” Witter asked the gathering.
And to break the silence that spread across the room, he said that not much people know of this.
He added that the number of persons injured while on duty would not only put a strain on the final output of that company, but it would also burden the health system as well.
He urged that organizations and companies adhere to the various occupational safety laws, and that workers themselves remember to be vigilant, take safety measures while conducting risky tasks.
On Sunday, starting from 06:00hrs, there will be a safety health walk around the city in an effort to further promote safety health practices.