Georgetown: Labour Minister Dr. Nanda Gopaul has emphasised that in 2015 his ministry would be working closely with employers in the construction sector to ensure that the health and safety of construction workers employees is a priority. Dr. Gopaul disclosed that 421 industrial accidents were reported in 2014, which compared favourably with 530 in 2013; this represents a reduction of 20.56%. The ministry continues to make the prevention and investigation of industrial accidents a high priority; Dr. Gopaul explained and added that fortunately, a mere nine or 2.13% involved fatalities.
“Our focus for 2015 will be to minimise or to rid [industry] completely of fatalities that occur because of negligence; so we will be working very closely with the employers of all the sectors especially within the construction sector,” the minister related. The ministry, he noted, will be visiting these work sites to make sure that the sites and employees are equipped with the right gear and equipment necessary to perform their duties.
The minister said that as the ministry moves to eliminate and prevent accidents and deaths within workplaces in 2015, “We must also note that the incessant development of production and use of chemicals in workplaces represents a real challenge for the society and the need for keeping certain chemicals off the market is urgent.”
Dr. Gopaul noted too that finding an appropriate balance between the benefits of chemical use and the preventive and control measures of potential adverse impact on workers, workplaces, communities and the environment must represent a permanent concern and, at the same time for the government, employers and workers and their organisations.
The minister further revealed that the health and safety body is placing emphasis on the use of chemicals in places of work, and the use of necessary gear to protect workers; he added that workers should not be dismissive of protective equipment, but instead should pay more attention to the use of such equipment. Continuing, the minister said that the ILO has either banned or severely restricted 35 chemicals in the European Union and went on to cite numerous examples that he encountered during his years working in the sugar estates, of how chemicals could be misused and become detrimental.
Gopaul urged workers to report all accidents that occur at their workplaces to the ministry, and explained that it is mandated by the ministry that employers report same. “The time has come, especially in the construction industry, for safety equipment to be utilised effectively and it is the obligation of those who contract out [work], to have these necessary steps placed in the contracts and also to have workers covered by insurance to protect us as well as our workers.”
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