Labour Commissioner (Ag), Mrs. Jo-Anne Hodge, and Director of Disaster Management, Ms. Melissa Meade, have applauded the launch of the Occupational Health and Safety Programme by the University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus Anguilla. The two Heads of the Department expressed their support during their remarks at the opening ceremony to launch the training on Thursday, 22nd March 2018.
According to Mrs. Hodge, while in the past not much emphasis was placed on Occupational Health and Safety on Anguilla, in keeping with the international labour, health and safety standards of the ILO and World Health Organisation, as well as the pending legislation, it is very important that the local attitude towards employees’ welfare in the workplace be changed. Noting the serious costs of ignoring the welfare of the working populace, the Labour Official emphasised that embracing occupational health and safety standards leads to happier and more productive employees, which translates to higher profits, improved customer retention and business growth.
Director of Disaster Management, Ms. Melissa Meade underscored the timeliness of the Occupational Health and Safety Certificate Programme. It is very timely, and the participants will be able to take it back to their workplace and make a difference, she said. She pointed out that most persons spend at least eight hours in their workplace and it should be a safe and healthy environment, but it requires participation and collaboration between the employee and the employer.
Also bringing remarks during the launch, was Human Resource Manager at the Anguilla Electricity Company (Anglec), Miss Erimel Franklin. Ms. Franklin stated that Anglec was pleased to partner with the UWI in such an important undertaking. Facilitator, Ms. Shenique Clare, who is also the Health and Safety Officer at Anglec, provided an overview of the course for the attendees, which included participants and a cross section of employer representatives and department heads.
The session was chaired by the UWI Open Campus British Overseas Territories, Dr. Phyllis Fleming Banks, who expressed appreciation to the Department of Disaster Management and ANGLEC for collaborating with the UWI Open Campus to deliver the programme.
The initial thirty-hour training on Managing Safety is being held at the Conference Room of the National Emergency Operations Centre on Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon from 22 March to 31 May.
Interested persons/organisations are invited to contact the UWI Open Campus at anguilla@open.uwi.edu (telephone 497-8156) for further information.
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
