The Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA has extended its operations with the official opening of a Hub in Gozo.

To mark the opening, Minister for Justice and Construction Sector Reform Jonathan Attard, accompanied by Minister for Gozo and Planning Clint Camilleri, visited two Gozitan companies that the Government said, “demonstrate a commitment to the health and safety of their workers – FXB Group and Carefree Sofas and Mattresses.”

During his visit to Gozo, Minister Attard emphasised the importance of the OHSA Hub, stating that it represents a vital step forward in ensuring the well-being of workers across the island.

“Today’s visit is aimed at marking another important step towards concrete improvements in workplace health and safety in our country,” said Minister Attard.

It was explained that the OHSA Hub will serve as a permanent presence in Gozo, making OHSA services more accessible to the local community.

Attard pointed out that this office will bring OHSA closer to businesses, employees and the public in Gozo. “This will not only facilitate direct communication, but also encourage a stronger and more immediate rapport between the authority and the community.”

Minister Attard stressed that the opening of the OHSA Hub is crucial to further improving operational efficiency. He explained that, “with inspectors based in Gozo, the authority will be able to respond more quickly to incidents, complaints, and requests for information. This will lead to more efficient use of resources and faster solutions in the best interest of every citizen.”

The proactive measures that the OHSA Hub will implement, include more inspections in workplaces, especially in construction sites, engineering facilities, offices, factories, and other establishments. This is with the aim of continuing to promote a culture of prevention before accidents occur, the Minister said.

In addition, the hub will serve as a central point for handling complaints, including those submitted through the 138 helpline. This initiative aims to give a stronger voice to workers and to have their complaints treated seriously. The inspectorate will be responsible for the initial assessment, planning of investigations, and follow-up to ensure effective and timely resolution.

Minister Attard emphasised that the investment in the OHSA Hub will also facilitate the collection of local data, which will be instrumental in the creation of targeted campaigns that will have a significant impact on the reality of work in Gozo. “This information will be vital in identifying areas that require further attention,” stated Minister Attard.

The Minister described the OHSA Hub in Gozo as a “symbol of the serious and long-term commitment that the Government is showing in the sector that is already yielding positive results.” He acknowledged the importance of OHSA and expressed the Government’s appreciation towards the OHSA board, chaired by Pierre Fava, and the Authority’s staff led by the OHSA Chief Executive Officer, Josianne Cutajar.

Minister Attard emphasised that the responsibility of the Government, the authority, and the employer is not only towards the workers but also towards their families, the community, and the future of the country. “Maintaining high standards of quality and safety in the workplace is not only a legal obligation, but also a moral one,” concluded Minister Attard.

Minister Clint Camilleri said, “The opening of this new OHSA office in Gozo is an initiative that means a lot to us as a Government and as a community. This measure is in line with our vision of offering high-quality public services in a more accessible and efficient manner for everyone, including those who live and work in Gozo. The presence of a dedicated OHSA team on the island will be of concrete assistance in improving the quality of life, addressing complaints more quickly, and ensuring more effective enforcement of regulations.”

Minister Camilleri concluded by saying that the new office is not only a symbol of a modern vision for Gozo, but also a concrete instrument that strengthens safety, social justice and responsibility towards workers.

OHSA Chief Executive Josianne Cutajar thanked the entire team in the authority that worked on this project that will not only be improving access for Gozitans, but will also be representing a qualitative leap in terms of health and safety in any workplace.

“With the official opening of the Hub in Gozo, we are giving a stronger voice to workers, employers and third parties so that we can most efficiently ensure that we assist where requested and in the shortest possible time. The Authority’s concrete presence in Gozo can now be more proactive with its interventions in order to minimise accidents in the workplace,” concluded Dr Cutajar.

Photo: DOI

Permalink: OHSA extends operations with a permanent Hub now open in Gozo