Goergetown : Labour Minister, Dr. Nanda Gopaul has reported a 20 % drop in industrial accidents during 2014 compared with 2013, but noted that much more needs to be done to make workplaces accident-free.
During a recent overview of the sector for 2014, Dr. Gopaul said industrial accidents remain a source of concern, noting that 421 were reported in 2014, with 320 in the agriculture sector, 10 in mining, 77 in manufacturing, two in the forestry sector and 12 in other areas.
This represents a 20 per cent drop from last year, when 530 accidents were reported.
The minister further urged employers to pay particular attention to health and safety issues surrounding the work environment.
“Every accident at a work place is a situation that is undesirable, but while many employers are placing emphasis on this area, more has to be done,” Minister Gopaul stressed.
Unfortunately, during the course of 2014, nine persons lost their lives due to industrial accidents, and Minister Gopaul expressed the hope that 2015 will be a year of no fatalities.
The Occupational Health and Safety Act has several regulations governing mining and quarrying, and this is at the chambers of the Attorney General for final inspection, before it is gazetted. This act will be proceeded with early in 2015, he said.
He added that industries should implement safety committees, which will aid even further in reducing the number of accidents, since the majority occurs in the sugar industry.
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