Government, companies, and employees saw the importance of having occupational, safety and health measures in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Every year on April 28^th, World Day for Safety and Health at Work is observed to  promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally. The 2022 theme is ‘Act together to build a positive safety and health culture’ and employees are encouraged to have conversations that inspire a positive culture of safety and health.

The THA’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department commemorated this day with a series of activities to help foster a positive safety and health culture throughout the Assembly and by extension the island of Tobago.

Earlier this month (April 13^th), the department hosted the webinar “Living with an Endemic COVID-19,” which featured Health Secretary Dr. Faith B.Yisrael and OSH Officer II Stacy-Ann Balfour. During the webinar, information was shared on how to treat with the new normal as we learn to live with the virus.

“One of the mandates of the department is to inspire the proliferation of a positive safety and health culture. The functions of the department are geared towards achieving this. An organisation’s safety culture can have a big influence on safety outcomes. Creating a positive safety culture not only improves safety, but benefits productivity, staff retention, and the overall organisational behavior,” OSH Director Marisa Bhawanie said.

During the month of April, three inter-divisional activities also took place, which were designed to stimulate safety and health awareness, as well as nurture a positive safety and health culture Assembly-wide. These activities were a virtual hazard hunt, virtual accident scene investigation, and a safety committee competition.

The OSH Department falls under the purview of the Office of the Chief Secretary.