Ms. Rhonexie N. Anderson has been appointed Health and Safety Coordinator with the Department of Human Resources for the Public Service effective 30^th August, 2021.

Ms. Anderson’s appointment is for a period of two years following the approval of His Excellency the Governor, Mr. John Rankin, CMG in accordance with section 92 of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 and the advice of the Public Service Commission.

As the Health and Safety Coordinator, Ms. Anderson will provide service-wide leadership, advice, support and advocacy on health and safety matters and concerns within the Public Service. She will oversee the further implementation of the Workplace Health and Safety Policy and Management Framework and will collaborate with the Department of Labour and other key stakeholder to exchange data and information in compliance with the required sections of the Labour Code.

Acting Governor, Mr. David D. Archer, Jr. welcomed Ms. Anderson’s appointment, noting that the Health and Safety Coordinator will play an important role in improving the quality of the Public Service’s safety standards.

Mr. Archer, Jr. said, “Understanding that a clear and robust Health & Safety Policy is the backbone to strong safety performance and compliance within the Public Service; I look forward to working with Ms. Anderson to continue our adherence to the health and safety policy matters and ensure that we prevent harm and promote safe working practices.”

The Director of Human Resources, Michelle Donovan-Stevens expressed that she is pleased to have Ms. Anderson join the Public Service to make further contributions in the advancement of the Health and Safety Programme.  She said, “it is our goal to have a workforce that is occupationally safe for employees and clients and to support employee engagement and the continuity of public services.”

Ms. Anderson, a native of Guyana, holds a Masters of Business Administration in Hospital and Health Services Management from The University of Bedfordshire in the United Kingdom; and a Bachelor of Science in Public Management from the University of Guyana.

Ms. Anderson served as a part-time lecturer at the University of Guyana with a focus in Strategic Public Sector Policy and Public Programme Planning. She has done extensive work with the United States Agency for International Development and has previously served as a Community Action Officer with the Citizens Security Strengthening Programme managed by the Ministry of Home Affairs /Inter American

Development Bank (IDB)

The Health, Safety and Welfare Policy is the policy of the GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS to comply with Part IX of the Virgin Islands Labour Code, 2010 in respect of Health, Safety and Welfare. In pursuit of the above the GOVERNMENT is committed to ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, the protection of its officers, clients, contractors, suppliers, visitors, neighbours and the general public from hazards and risks associated with its operations; and to the provision of adequate workplace facilities.

Key goals are to:

1. protect officers from injuries arising out of or in the course of their employment; and

2. be recognised by officers and the wider community as a leader in the promotion of a healthy, safe and congenial working environment.

Caption – Ms. Rhonexie Anderson, Health and Safety Coordinator.