The Ministry of Labour is continuing in its efforts to ensure that workplaces across Guyana become safer places to earn a living, given the rash of recent job-site accidents and fatalities.
As such, a release from the ministry yesterday, informed that 52 Aurora Gold Mine (AGM), Zijin Mining subsidiary employees, and those that are part of the Joint Workplace Safety and Health Committee, have successfully completed a three-day joint Workplace Safety and National Insurance Scheme (NIS) Training Programme. This means that they are now better equipped to maintain a safe and healthy workplace
The release stated that the group received their certificates on Wednesday morning at AGM/Zijin Mining’s
training room in the presence of Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton; AGM’s management representative, Eric Zheng; Assistant Chief OSH [Occupational Health & Safety] Officer, Maxean Bess; OSH officers, Johana Vaughn and Ray Hosannah; Training Manager of NIS, Dane Chesney, and other officials.
It explained that the programme is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Labour’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department and the NIS. Its purpose is to train members of the Joint Workplace Safety and Health Committee and prepare them to carry out their mandate in the workplace, as required by Chapter 99:06 of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act.
Further, it is also intended to equip representatives with the knowledge and skills needed to design and maintain safe work systems and techniques, thereby minimising or eliminating workplace accidents. This would then allow participants to demonstrate an understanding of their roles and responsibilities as Joint Workplace Safety Committee representatives.
According to the release, participants can now conduct workplace inspections and accident investigations and adopt methods to control and/or eliminate hazards in their own workplaces. This includes the participants and the workplace receiving certification that would be valid for one year.
In his brief remarks at the awards ceremony, Minister Hamilton stated that today’s event demonstrates the importance of creating a relationship between his ministry and the agency to promote safe and healthy working conditions for the benefit of both employers and employees. This achievement, he added, will bring the Labour Ministry closer to addressing the country’s lack of safety culture, and he has committed to continuing to work together with AGM/Zijin Mining to replicate similar success.
“We are changing as a country to address our lack of safety culture, so we are paying attention to these matters like never before,” the minister noted. He then encouraged other agencies to collaborate with the ministry to protect the workers’ lives. Minister Hamilton also urged the employees to not only share their knowledge with coworkers but also with people at home to help prevent work-related incidents and fatalities.
The Ministry will soon roll out its Public Relations (PR) strategy for 2024, which will include a consistent communication plan to bring general awareness and knowledge, with the goal of promoting health and safety beyond the workplace, the release added.
