During a press conference held today in the office of the OHSA, the Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties Helena Dalli launched a public consultation on improving the areas of health and safety in Malta, including during public events.

Minister Dalli explained how after the accident Paqpaqli for Istrina last October, and subsequently after that, the incident in Paceville a few weeks later, the Government asked the CEO of the Occupational Health and Safety Authority Dr Mark Gauci, to perform an analysis of the regulatory framework as regards health and safety at public events.

The Report entitled, "Sahha u sigurtà waqt attivitajiet pubblici – analizi tal-qafas regolatorju, u suggerimenti ghal titjib fejn mehtieg" presents a number of legislative weaknesses concerning the regulation of public safety (including fire safety). The Report also includes a number of key recommendations.

A strategy addressing the weaknesses of the current system and processes on public safety needs to take into consideration the following:

(i) Government's drive to consolidate existing resources while ensuring better regulation without creating unnecessary bureaucratic burdens for duty-holders and civil society;

(ii) The obligations arising out of EU and ILO requirements to have an entity which is autonomous in its executive decisions and actions with regards to health and safety;

The Report is being submitted for public consultation. Download the report from here.

The Government said that it is also proposing the setting up of a working group under the chairmanship of Dr. Mark Gauci from the Occupational Health and Safety Authority. It will be tasked to analyse the feedback resulting from the public consultation process and where necessary to carry out discussions with specific stakeholders.

The working group will be expected to provide the Government with proposals for the enhancement of legislation and regulatory structures on Health and Safety in Malta.

In view of this, the Government said that it is launching this initial scoping consultation to collect input from the general public, civil society organisations, trade unions, business organisations, political parties, governmental institutions and all others that would like to contribute towards this process.

Interested parties are to send their comments in writing by not later than the 13th of February 2016.

Any feedback, requests for clarification and queries are to be addressed to onlineconsultations.msdc@gov.mt or to Ms Davida Flores, Director Strategy and Support, 280, Level 3, Republic Street Valletta.

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