Continued unsafe practices in various sectors, despite two recent workplace deaths, is “worrisome”, says the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB).
Representing the umbrella organisation at the opening ceremony of Occupational Safety and Health Week 2023 at the Accra Beach Resort on Monday, trade unionist Rudy Lovell said: “Workers working on roofs and at heights are still working without safety harnesses and other protective equipment.
“We all know that unsafe workplaces and spaces are hazardous and expose workers to unnecessary risks, which may result in death or life-changing accidents that inflict injury or damage. These accidents can be a massive expense for employers and employees. We also know that reporting and investigating workplace accidents and remedying the causes of these accidents can result in safe workplaces for many.”
Lovell identified frequent workplace safety analysis, the granting of mental health days and regular building maintenance as measures Barbados has to take to promote effective occupational safety and health.
He stressed that businesses should embrace frequent safety and health workplace analysis that is employer-driven and employee-led, “as enhanced safety and health practices and improved workplace changes will only materialise with employer-employee dialogue and cooperation where employees outline the challenges they may be experiencing in the workplace and with the employer working to rectify these challenges”.
Lovell added that it is vital for management to both lead and manage the practice of safety and health in the workplace, as this would encourage employees to engage in safety and health practices.
Calling for annual mental health days to be given, he said these would assist with the challenges many workers are experiencing.
“CTUSAB is also concerned about the fact that workers who are treated for mental health issues may be limited in claiming insurance returns unless treated by a psychiatrist,” he said while calling for discussion with relevant stakeholders on these areas.
Saying there continued to be too many reports of sick building syndrome in Barbados, including within public schools, the president of the Barbados Union of Teachers urged the private sector and the Government to develop a maintenance plan for their facilities.
Also delivering remarks at the event, held under the theme Safety and Health- A Fundamental Principle and Right at Work, General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union Toni Moore said the COVID-19 experience demonstrated the need for sound and resilient safety and health systems.
She charged that while some businesses have health and safety committees, many do not function and need to be “reinvigorated”.
Saying that Barbados was poor at enforcing its labour laws, Moore also touched on the right of workers to refuse dangerous work, noting that even though it was an area from which disputes often arose, there was reluctance to investigate workers’ concerns.
Delivering the feature address, Minister of Labour, Social Partnership Relations and the Third Sector, Colin Jordan, stressed that no one should have to decide between their safety and health and their paycheck.
He, therefore, urged employees to use the Labour Department’s action programme to ensure their safety on the job.
“The Labour Department will assess the level of compliance of your workplace and provide guidance on improving the safety and health conditions. Workers can, of their own volition, call the department or through their representative organisations to seek advice and guidance when seeking to secure their safety and health, and workers can request an inspection…. A worker cannot be dismissed for requesting an inspection,” the minister reminded.
jeniquebelgrave@barbadostoday.bb
