The Ministry of Labor is reviewing the policy on OSH for workers
Labor Minister Joseph Hamilton.
Kaieteur News – Under the Decent Work Program for Guyana 2017-2021, the Ministry of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department successfully reviewed the National Occupational Safety and Health Policy for employees.
This disclosure was made yesterday during a virtual conference hosted by Labor Minister Joseph Hamilton with the American Chambers of Commerce (AMCHAM).
In his presentation, Minister Hamilton mentioned that there is a National Policy on OSH developed in collaboration with the social partners and technical support from the International Labor Organization.
According to Hamilton, “the policy’s primary task is not only to eliminate or reduce the risks and frequency of work-related injuries, deaths and illnesses; but promote the positive development of factors in the work environment that enhance the social, mental and physical well-being of employees and society as a whole ”.
Back in November, Kaieteur News had reported that the Ministry was looking at developing the policy that addresses the health and safety of workers in the mining and construction sector.
The Minister also noted that a National Action Plan was to be developed to facilitate the implementation of the policy.
The launch of Operation OSH, which will promote safe workplaces and reduce accidents in the mining and construction sectors, was also discussed. This initiative was prompted by a review of the trending activities in the mining and construction sectors and the human losses suffered as a result of unsafe workplace conditions, unsafe human activities, unsafe working equipment and unsafe work. The campaign would focus on the safety of all miners and construction workers while they were at work and their safe return to their families.