Several construction firms and agencies from both the private and public sectors in Linden on Tuesday participated in a safety seminar and the Minister of Labour called for a change in practices.
This event, which was held at Watooka Guest House in Linden, marks the second seminar of its kind this year and was organised by the Ministry of Labour’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department. According to the release, the inaugural seminar for 2024 took place at the Regency Hotel.
Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton in his keynote address, emphasised the critical need for a cultural shift in safety practices, that aligns with the government’s commitment to safeguarding workers’ rights and well-being. He noted that as a developing nation, Guyana faces higher risks, making it imperative to prioritise safety to prevent fatalities.
“We must change our approach because, as a developing country, our risk levels are higher. Ignoring safety leads to more fatalities,” Hamilton asserted. He underscored that ensuring every worker can return home safely is a fundamental goal, advocating for safety and health as a cultural priority rather than merely an obligation.
Hamilton also reminded that each statistic in the OSH reports represents a real person—a family member lost, which the ministry views with grave concern. As such, he called for immediate and effective changes to improve safety standards across all sectors.
The OSH Department Consultant, Gweneth King, who also addressed the gathering, echoed the Minister’s sentiments, pointing out that there have been 27 fatalities in the construction sector over the past four years, with figures fluctuating each year.
“The construction industry, in particular, poses significant risks, which can be mitigated by employing health and safety officers,” King noted. She compared the construction sector’s fatality rate with that of the mining sector and urged companies to invest in education and preventive measures, emphasising that such efforts are both cost-effective and lifesaving.
