OSHA, A NEW STAGE IN SAFETY

The Occupational Safety and Health Act  which was finally passed in both Houses of Parliament should provide long needed protection to workers. Employer compliance with the Act’s provisions, required within three months of OSHA’s passage, will benefit not only workers and their families, but employers, target dates for completion of construction projects and production levels as well. OSHA, we believe, will be a significant contributory factor to the elimination of needless major industrial accidents, some of which in the past have been fatal. The hope is that accidents will be  reduced to a bare minimum.

Some of the on- the- job accidents have left workers either paralysed or otherwise unable to  work or forced to accept much lower paying jobs as a result of their physical condition. Their families, in addition to experiencing immense stress, all too often suffered a downturn in their standard of living and expectations. The Act, although it requires all employers to implement carefully set out safety standards or face penalties also needs the active support of workers themselves —  if its objectives are to be realised. Trade unions will have to educate their members with respect to their rights and responsibilities under the Act. At the same time, employer groups —  the various Chambers of Commerce and business organisations will need to educate their members  as to their responsibilities.

Many serious industrial accidents could have been averted if proper procedures had been put in place and precautions by all parties. There have been photographs published in the print media of workers on the job without required safety belts and equipment, although the heights and jobs demanded this. This is still unacceptable. When there is a major on-the-job accident, particularly in the construction sector, other workers are traumatised. Work on the project is effectively slowed down and, consequently, schedules and/or completion targets may not be met. 

Costs rise and, in the long run, dates  pushed back and everyone loses. We welcome the Act and hope that employers put in what is needed to effect it immediately,  rather than toward the end of the three-month legal limit for compliance. What is important here is that in the end all of the relevant parties feel at least reasonably comfortable with the intent and provisions of  OSHA.