An OSH officer in discussion with the participants
Some 30 employees of the Blairmont Sugar Estate have benefitted from a comprehensive training programme focused on workers’ safety and health. That programme has been facilitated by the Ministry of Labour’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department, in collaboration with the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
The three-day training was conducted from June 4 to 6, 2024 at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Blairmont Estate boardroom in Region Five. OSH officers from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) led the interactive training sessions, which covered key topics, among which were Categories of Hazards, Types of Hazards at Work, Controls for Hazards, Sources of Hazards, Risk Assessment, Physical and Mental Health in the Workplace, and the OSH Act, Chapter 99:06 of the Laws of Guyana.
Three of the workers who participated in the training
This training has been deemed essential in equipping participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out their roles outlined in the OSH Act. This includes making recommendations to the employer and the workers for the improvement of the health and welfare of workers; identifying situations that may be a source of danger or hazard to workers; and making recommendations to employers and workers regarding the establishment, maintenance, and monitoring of programmes, measures and procedures in respect to the safety of workers, among other responsibilities.
Following the training, both participants and their workplaces received certification that would be valid for one year. It is imperative to note that, for every workplace with more than 20 employees, Guyana’s OSH Act mandates the creation of a Joint Workplace Safety and Health Committee (JWSHC).
However, many workplaces across Guyana do not have a functional JWSHC due to a lack of widespread understanding of maintaining safety and health practices in the working environment.
As such, the Ministry’s OSH Department continuously conducts training sessions for JWSHCs across the country, to ensure that persons are fully equipped with the knowledge and skills required to adequately perform their duties as members of the committee.
The OSH Department has also reaffirmed its commitment to providing technical support to the committee in the execution of its functions.
