Labour Minister reiterates call for Guyanese to prioritise workplace safety

…as Ministry hosts 4th annual OSH expo

The Labour Ministry on Wednesday hosted its fourth annual mini-exhibition and demonstration at its Brickdam Office.
The event, which featured over ten public and private sector agencies and organisations, forms part of activities in observance of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Month being celebrated under the theme, “We are running out of time: Ensuring safe and healthy work now in a changing climate.”
Among the companies who participated in the exhibition was the Ministry’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) department, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, Guyana Forestry Commission, Guyana Fire Service, and Guyana; National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
The event saw the support of the general public, staff from the various entities, and students from multiple schools, including the Tucville Secondary and the North Ruimveldt Multilateral Secondary Schools.
Visitors were sensitised on OSH roles and functions, basic guides to the agriculture, construction, mining and service sectors, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Identification of Workplace Hazards, Safety and Health in Small-Scale Surface Mines.
They also received brochures containing information about the role and functions of inspections, overtime and leave, termination & severance, the probationary period, the national minimum wage order and Child Labour.
During his address to the gathering Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton reiterated his call for Guyanese to prioritise safety within the home, workplace, school and public settings.
He noted that Guyana cannot afford to lose another life senselessly, and underscored the importance of wearing safety gears and taking the necessary precautions to prevent harm to oneself.
“It is not just the responsibility of the ministry of labour and the Occupational Safety and Health department… So, mining, construction, my good friends from the forestry commission we have to work together to ensure that foresters do it in a safe way. No more can they just go in there, and all they’re concerned about is a tag to cut the wood and to get it out to make some money,” Hamilton said.
Further, the Labour Minister reminded that safety in the workplace is a fundamental right for all employees and as such, employers must take responsibility to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.
On this point, he stated that his Ministry will continue to educate employees and employers about safe workplace practices to reduce the number of workplace incidents and fatalities.
“No more employers must believe that this is an expense they cannot bare because failure to bare this expense you will have greater expense to deal with when people die or lose limbs or are incapacitated at workplaces,” the labour minister added.
The Labour Ministry kicked off Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Month with a series of activities aimed at promoting workplace safety, raising awareness, and improving health standards across various sectors throughout April.
The official launch of OSH Month took place earlier this month at the Ministry’s headquarters on Brickdam, Georgetown, where a banner was unveiled to mark the occasion.
At the launch, Minister Hamilton announced collaboration with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association to conduct targeted awareness programs in mining and agriculture sectors.
These programs will involve visits to agricultural and mining sites, training sessions, and engagement with stakeholders.
In addition to collaborative efforts with mining and agriculture sectors, various activities including awareness walks, poster-making competitions, and debate competitions will be organized in all ten administrative regions in partnership with the Ministry of Education.
The culmination of OSH Month will be observed on April 28, which is observed as OSH Day. (G1)