Businesses in the Virgin Islands are now more equipped with knowledge on health and safety and what it means to be compliant with the Labour Code, 2010.

The Occupational Health and Safety Sub-committee partnered with H. Lavity Stoutt Community College and Dynamic 360 Support Services to conduct two (2) training sessions on the subject, Management of Prevention, an International Labour Organisation (ILO) Certified course.

Labour Commissioner, Mrs. Janice Rymer said, “It is imperative that these industries are trained to move towards compliance with Part IX of the Labour Code which speaks to Occupational Health and Safety.  Awareness is only one of the many steps in the process of achieving compliance.  Having competently trained personnel will propel us towards changing the culture of Occupational Health and Safety in the BVI.”

Workshop Facilitator and Consultant, Ms. Melony James said participants at both sessions were engaged throughout the training and have expressed taking the next step to ILO certification. 

“This means that participants now have the option to sit an external exam to become certified Risk Prevention Officers in their various industries,” she said. 

Ms. James added, “The certificate that they recently received can also be used towards the acquisition of continuing education credits. It was my pleasure to partner with the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College and the Occupational Health and Safety Sub-committee on this project.”

Chairperson of the Occupational Health and Safety Sub-committee, Mrs. Michelle McLean said that it is partnerships such as these that the Sub-committee relies on to help fulfill its mandate. “I was pleased with the participation from the various industries and the positive feedback received,” she said.

The participants represented a wide range of sectors including education, hospitality, construction, labour relations, finance, marine and medical services.

Participant, Ms. Edna Williams said the information presented was very much appreciated from the business community on implementing health and safety in the work place.

“The training provided a detailed analysis of a health and safety risk assessment that employers and employees can immediately apply to their working environment,” she said.

Members of the Occupational Health and Safety Sub-committee also met with President of the Construction Association, Mr. Dion Stoutt, to open dialogue to forge a relationship that will generate greater awareness within this industry to achieve full compliance with the Health and Safety Section of the 2010 Labour Code. A stakeholders’ assembly is envisioned in early 2019 to chart the way forward.

NOTES

• Photo 1:2- Workshop Facilitator and Consultant, Ms. Melony James presenting to workshop attendees. (Photo credit: Labour Department)
• Photo 2:2- Group photo of workshop participants after one of the training sessions. (Photo credit: Labour Department)