By Fabiana Mcklmon
The Ministry of Labour has kicked off Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Month with a series of activities aimed at promoting workplace safety, raising awareness, and improving health standards across various sectors throughout April.
The official launch of OSH Month took place at the Ministry’s headquarters on Brickdam, Georgetown, where a banner was unveiled to mark the occasion.
Minister Joseph Hamilton, speaking at the launch, outlined the diverse range of activities planned for the month, covering crucial OSH topics.
Minister Hamilton announced collaboration with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association to conduct targeted awareness programs in mining and agriculture sectors.
These programs will involve visits to agricultural and mining sites, training sessions, and engagement with stakeholders.
“I know we will be visiting agricultural sites, we will visit mining sites in conjunction with the GGMC, who is a partner, and several visits will be done. We will continue to do training and engagement with people,” stated Minister Hamilton during the launch.
Highlighting the progress made in OSH awareness and practices over the past five years, Minister Hamilton expressed optimism about Guyana’s improved stance on workplace safety.
“Guyana is doing better as regard this matter than we were doing before 2020, and that is a reality and factual. More Guyanese now have an understanding of this matter, more Guyanese are supporting this, they are making their contribution to ensure that when we leave home and go to work in the morning, all of us must go back safely at home,” he added.
In addition to collaborative efforts with mining and agriculture sectors, various activities including awareness walks, poster-making competitions, and debate competitions will be organized in all ten administrative regions in partnership with the Ministry of Education.
The culmination of OSH Month will be observed on April 28, celebrated as OSH Day under the theme “We are running out of time: ensuring safe and healthy work now in a changing climate.”
The Ministry of Labour’s initiatives during OSH Month underscore its commitment to fostering a culture of safety and well-being in workplaces across Guyana, ensuring the protection and welfare of workers in diverse sectors.