Government to introduce stricter rules for high-risk jobs

A new regulation that would introduce stricter safety standards for high-risk jobs is in development, Labour Minister Colin Jordan has announced, as the government steps up efforts to improve workplace safety following a series of tragic accidents.

Speaking at the opening of the Occupational Safety, Health, Wellness, and Environment (OSHWE) Safety 360 Conference, on Thursday, Jordan said he has instructed his ministry to fast-track the drafting of legislation that would provide greater protection for employees exposed to fall hazards.

“We’ve suffered a number of tragedies with respect to persons working at heights and so . . . this is absolutely necessary,” he said.

“The most recent tragedy is still, for me, a very painful one. We have to make sure those kinds of incidents become a thing of the past, so we are working as we speak on a new height legislation.”

The two-day conference, hosted by the Frank Walcott Labour College and the Barbados Workers’ Union’s OSHWE Committee, brought together employers, union leaders, and HR professionals under the theme Safety: Our Number One Priority, as officials call for a national shift towards prevention and stronger collaboration to promote workplace safety.

The minister said though Barbados has made progress through new legislation and training, workplace incidents continue to have wide-reaching consequences.

“Accidents don’t just impact workers,” Jordan said. “They affect their families, their communities, productivity, the healthcare system—ultimately, the entire country feels the impact.”

Some sectors, particularly agriculture, have seen a decline in reported incidents based on Health Department figures, he said,  and he hoped this reflected the impact of training and increased awareness.

He, however, warned against complacency. “Even if numbers are coming down, we must remain vigilant in identifying and mitigating hazards across all industries—construction, tourism, financial services—wherever people work.”

He noted several regulatory advances were made between 2022 and 2023, including the introduction of standards for fuel stations and medical supervision, and a formal legal right for workers to refuse dangerous tasks. But he stressed that enforcement remains an issue.

“Having legislation on the books is one thing. Making sure it is followed is something else entirely,” he said, adding that his ministry is working to strengthen enforcement mechanisms.

The minister also raised concern that many businesses are not complying with laws requiring the establishment of joint safety and health committees—and that some workers are reluctant to participate, seeing it as an additional burden.

BWU General Secretary Toni Moore, who also addressed the opening, reinforced the need for shared responsibility in enforcing workplace safety.

“Too many workers wait until it hits the fan to raise concerns,” Moore said. “It’s not just the Labour Department’s job to enforce laws. Workers must report when management fails to act—and management must also create space for safety discussions.”

She pointed out that the majority of recent work stoppages in Barbados have stemmed from safety concerns, and urged equal attention to both workers’ rights and responsibilities.

“Too many of us want to see change, but too few of us want to participate meaningfully in the change we say we want—whether it’s safer workplaces or better conditions overall.”

shannamoore@barbadostoday.bb