Armed and trained to prevent workplace dangers

The Hon. Alden McLaughlin (L) and Permanent
Secretary Angela Martins present Locksley Haylock
with his certificate

The officials and DER graduates: Standing (L-R): DER
Director Walling Whittaker, Employment Minister the
Hon. Alden McLaughlin, Permanent Secretary Angela
Martins, Locksley Haylock, Gene Hydes and Emerson
Piercy. Seated (L-R): Debbie Prendergast, Jean
Solomon, Odette Johnson-Mitchell, and Trisha Powell

Thursday,  January 19, 2006

From the basics to the complexities of safety at work, staff from the Department of Employment Relations (DER), together with a senior Planning Department official, are now qualified to conduct in-depth occupational safety training. 

Employment Minister Hon Alden McLaughlin presented certificates to the successful students and expressed approval of the direction the department was taking.

“You are now officially certified as trainers for occupational safety and health, and as such, are now capable of helping businesses to identify areas of concern, and to ensure that site managers implement preventative safety measures.” 

He further encouraged construction companies to make an effort to have employees attend ensuing courses.

Referring to the expectations of the global community and the need to uphold high standards locally, Mr McLaughlin said it was a step in the right direction.

“I commend you all for exercising initiative in completing this course. I implore you to ensure that appropriate health and safety standards are set and met, for there are some 800 companies and about 6,000 employees who stand to benefit from this knowledge.” 

Permanent Secretary, Angela Martins, also congratulated the graduates who comprise the first local team to have completed a specialised trainers’ course designed and administered by the US Dept. of Labour’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). 

DER Director Walling Whittaker (who also completed the training) expressed appreciation for the level of commitment demonstrated by his staff.

The course was organised by DER’s Senior Compliance Officer Gene Hydes (who led the class in the final written examination), and Compliance Officer Trisha Powell. The other graduates were: Assistant Director Robert Whittaker, Compliance Officer Rohan Marshall, Human Resource Officer Jean Solomon, Conciliation Officers Odette Johnson-Mitchell and Locksley Haylock, Survey Officer Debbie Prendergast and Cayman Brac Compliance Officer Sandra Solomon. The Planning Department’s Chief Building Control Officer Emerson Piercy also successfully completed the occupational training.

This new knowledge will supplement the work of DER staff, whose duties range from workplace inspections and labour dispute mediation, to investigating complaints and holding tribunals.

Mr. Whittaker noted that with his staff now trained, two construction industry courses are already planned for this year, 30 and 10-hour courses available to foremen and workers, respectively. 

However he also emphasized that Government employees will be trained first.

“Civil Service involvement is critical, for departments such as the Port Authority and Public Works undertake potentially dangerous jobs on a daily basis.”

He said that the DER will be conducting a Workplace Safety and Ergonomics Course in June, for the benefit of both government and private businesses.

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