A workshop to strengthen court prosecution capabilities of Occupational Health and Safety, and Workers Compensation officers was opened today, by the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Hon Jioji Konrote at the Waterfront Hotel in Lautoka.
The three day intensive workshop is organised by the National OHS Service through the endorsement of funding by the National Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Board.
It is facilitated by Industrial Relations consultant and Resident Magistrate, Mr Andrew See and aims to capacity build Ministry officials to effectively deal with investigation and prosecution of OHS and Workers Compensation.
“There is an urgent need for our enforcement officers to understand how to build successful cases for prosecution, as it will increase the level of precision and distinction applied, while processing these cases,” Hon Konrote said.
Officers will be trained on key features of the Health and Safety at Work Act (HASAWA) and Workmen’s Compensation Act, their roles and responsibilities as investigators and prosecutors, court rules and processes, and resolving case studies through simulated court trials.
With the successful certification of the National OHS Service and the Workers Compensation Service to the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System, both these services now have a more effective and standardised way of enforcing its relevant legislations.
Hon Konrote highlighted that whilst the Ministry is intensifying enforcement of its legislations; it is adamant in its commitment to promote a ‘culture of prevention’ of occupational accidents in workplaces.
“To achieve a successful occupational health and safety culture, where prevention is the principal objective, organisations must employ a pro-active approach in implementing and maintaining a high degree of health and safety standards at the workplace,” Hon Konrote said.
Employers are also encouraged to comply with the relevant provisions of the OHS law to avoid unnecessary penalties and prosecution.
Participants of the training include the Ministry’s enforcement officers from the OHS, Workers Compensation and Labour Standards Services based in the Western Division. The Ministry has also invited external participants from the Ministry of Education and Social Welfare to be part of this workshop.
The workshop will continue for two more days, from 24th to 25th August, at the same venue.