UG moves to spread awareness on Occupational Safety and Health

The University of Guyana is working towards spreading awareness about the benefits of improved Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) mechanisms in the workplace.

Addressing a forum held recently at the University’s Turkeyen Campus to kick off Occupational Health and Safety Month, Vice Chancellor Professor Ivelaw Griffith spoke of efforts to establish a Unit that will deal specifically with spreading awareness about safety and health in the workplace.

The event was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Protection. Speaking to gathering of students and staff at the University’s Library, Vice Chancellor Griffith emphasized the need for an OSH section that students can optimize and use as informative material to become more aware of its issues and benefits in Guyana.

He noted that while there has been new development in infrastructure on Campus, individual responses where occupational safety and health is concerned, is an important factor to the success of the University.

In her brief remarks, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Barbara Reynolds, added that the tertiary level of education is the perfect place to lead in matters concerning Occupational Safety and Health practices in Guyana.

University Librarian, Mrs. Gwyneth George also echoed the importance of working together to make OSH policies a reality in campus culture.

In his statement on the occasion of observing Occupational Health and Safety Month, Minister of Labour Keith Scott highlighted the strides made locally towards achieving the development goals set by the United Nations.

Minister Scott noted that he was particularly delighted to repeat that the most recent United Nations Human Development Report (2016) categorized Guyana as a Medium Human Development Country.

He said, however, “if we are to be elevated to the coveted status of High Human Development, we will have to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal #8, a performance indicator which relates to a reduction in the frequency of fatal and loss time accidents in the workplace”.

In Government’s 2018 Budget Presentation, Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, had pointed out that there was a reduction in fatal accidents in the mining sector. By the end of 2017, a further reduction had been experienced.

As a matter of fact, the Minister noted that at the close of the year (2017), the total number of accidents reported had declined by 5.3% from 462 to 428 and those which were of a fatal consequence declined by 14% from 21 to 18.

Source:https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com