Dr Dale Bisnauth, Minister of Labour, Human Services and Social Security congratulates Gweneth King (right), Chief Occupational Safety and Health Officer on her award for promoting worker safety. (Photograph by Ken Moore)
Around 1,200 on-the-job injuries are reported every year with hand injuries and lacerations predominant while fatalities in the workplace average two per year.
These figures were revealed at an awards ceremony for those involved in the promotion of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) held by the National Advisory Council and the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security at Hotel Tower on Wednesday.
The Executive Director of the Consultative Association of Guyanese Industry (CAGI) David Yankana noted that these were only the reported cases and that there needed to be better supervision of labour inspectors in the informal and formal sectors. He also hoped there would be a move towards compliance with standards of operations in the informal sector such as carpentry and welding.
Wednesday was designated Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Day and the activity marked the culmination of a month of activities by the council and the ministry.
Banks DIH, Courts Guyana Inc., Guyoil, Demerara Power Co., and Guysuco received awards for maintaining high standards.
The late Greta Walcott as well as Winston Beckles and Gweneth King received awards for individual contributions to the improvement of worker safety nationally. Gweneth King, Chief OSH Officer within the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security was recognised for her role in influencing the passage of the 1997 Occupational Safety and Health Act among other things.