Caribbean OSH role for IOSH

14 October 2011

IOSH is playing a role in developing a new framework for health and safety in the Caribbean, following its increasing work with government and key organisations in the region.

The Institution’s president, Steve Granger, and Caribbean Branch chair Syd Sears recently spoke at the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) health and safety conference in Trinidad and Tobago. They summed up the integral role IOSH could play in forming a model for best practice health and safety on the island. It also marked a year of close work with the IOSH Caribbean Branch, as well as Trinidad and Tobago Government ministers and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Steve spoke to delegates on the topic of competency in health and safety and the importance of a national framework that would be a benchmark for the rest of the Caribbean.

He said: “I’ve worked closely with the Caribbean Branch over the last year and during that time we’ve seen a change in the Trinidad and Tobago Government’s perception of IOSH. It understands the important role we can play in giving advice on health and safety in a region where there are high risk industries and the value we can add to the emerging focus of Health and safety in all industries in the region.

“The Caribbean is an example of how UK health and safety legislation is seen around the world as an ideal benchmark for protecting workforces. It’s somewhat ironic that other countries recognise us as a leading light of the profession, aspiring to what we have, when sometimes business leaders, politicians and sections of the press here are determined to undermine both its necessity and quality at home.”

Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago the Honorable Kamla Persad Bissessar opened the recent AMCHAM health and safety conference. She spoke of a commitment to getting health and safety right and the central part it plays in economic success – one of IOSH’s key messages.

Caribbean Branch chair Syd Sears said: “We have met on occasion with the Minister of Labour, Mr Errol McLeod here in Trinidad and Tobago and have found this really encouraging. As a branch we are now well-placed, as primary consultees to the Occupational Safety and Health Authority, to assist in the development and implementation of the country’s legislative framework.”

“During the conference, we were also heartened to hear the Prime Minister’s resolute support of the health and safety profession and the associated issues of workplace safety, plus her commitment to placing it higher on the agenda, calling on those concerned for advice and guidance and to make the necessary changes happen.”

Prior to his talk at AMCHAM, the IOSH president, Steve Granger attended the first meeting of the Centre for Safety and Health Sustainability (CSHS) board of directors in New York, America, to discuss environmental issues, energy sustainability and the role of health and safety in creating a sustainable workforce.

The meeting took place at the Corporate Responsibility Magazine COMMITT Forum, with delegates including environmental specialists, NGO and government agencies, business managers and investment analysts.

He said: “It seems like we sometimes forget to consider the importance of people in creating sustainable workplaces. Employee protection from accidents and ill-health, supply chain workforce protection and safety management systems are all important ways of reducing loss, damage and human suffering. All this adds up to reducing wastage in a business and to the community where they operate.”

The CSHS is developing performance metrics that will enable organisations to measure their health and safety performance on a global scale. This has attracted the interests of many relevant organisations.