Quality costs money but in the long run it is worth it. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) improved considerably during the past years. This has brought up the quality of workplaces and subsequently the conditions of workers. However we are still far way behind when compared to most European member states. In order to fulfil our ambitions and reach excellence a considerable investment backed by political commitment is required.
FOR.U.M. proposes that for the next year adequate funding is provided in order to: Improve OHSA legislation
New provisions should be enacted granting the OHSA the possibility to issue administrative fines. This would also render the authority less dependent on the state’s coffers.
Review article 10(2) of L.N. 36 of 2003 dealing with Risk Assessment. At the moment the Maltese legislation does not implement the minimum requirement of Article 10 of the Framework directive (Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12th June 1989) on the obligation to document risk assessment. This would mean that all employers irrespective of the no. of employees shall document risk assessments. Hence funding would be necessary to train/campaign and enforce. Unless Malta complies with EU legislation on Risk Assesments, the EU commission may open a case against Malta.
Enforcement of Legislation – This can be only achieved if Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) is provided with: better funding;
more human resources;
the ability to issue administrative fines.
Implementation of Legislation – Almost all European Health and Safety Directives were transposed into local legislation. However most provisions are not yet implemented. The government (who is the largest local employer and is seen as the model employer) should be compliant.
Workers’ Representation – Health and Safety Representatives, democratically elected at the place of work are of fundamental importance in ensuring Health and Safety. As the model employer, the government is expected to be amongst the first to implement the provisions stated in Council Directive 89/391/EEC that were subsequently transposed in the Occupational Health and Safety Authority Act (Act XXVII of 2000) and in the General Provisions for the Health and Safety at Work Places Regulations (LN36 of 2003).
In the last reform agreement signed between the MUT and the Government there are provisions for the introduction of OHS representative in Colleges. This has yet to be implemented. Similar agreements establishing the appointment of Health and Safety Reps in all sectors should be signed and implemented. This requires adequate funding for training and for the reduction of workload of the Health and Safety reps in order to perform their duties as required by EU Directives.
Education – An EU strategy document (Improving Quality and Productivity at Work: Community Strategy 2007 – 2012 on Health and Safety at Work – COM (2007)62) communicated by the European Commission states that for the coming years (2007 – 2012) all-European member states should include Health and Safety Education at all levels of education. This document (Page 11) asserts that basic health and safety education should start as early as possible, possibly at the early years of primary school. Malta is already a step ahead of most of its European counterparts as all students attending primary and secondary state schools in Malta have been receiving Health and Safety Education for a number of years. Health and Safety Education should be extended at all levels of Education including the post-secondary sector, MCAST, University, Church schools and possibly private schools.
Campaigns – Funding should be made available to co-finance education campaigns on OHS. With the aid of EU funding these campaigns are possible.
OHS is a long term investment. It should not be considered a burden. The country cannot jeopardise the health and safety of workers, after all human resources are the only resources that this county owns. In the long run every well spent Euro pays back. Raising OHS standards would lead to a healthier and more productive workforce. Notwithstanding the social aspect Health and Safety costs money but accidents are more expensive. Health and Safety is beneficial to all parties: workers and their families, the employers and the State. Improvement in OHS would also improve the attitudes of our people and the image of our country.
Forum Unions Maltin (FOR.U.M)