Malta requires OSHE professionals for safer workplaces

Working safely and in a safe environment is the right of every individual. Every employer and owner manager is responsible to prevent and manage discomfort, pain and workplace injury.

They are also responsible to provide their people with the appropriate training on safe work procedures and the necessary supervision to ensure that these are strictly being followed. It is paramount that management follow Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) legislation and look after the health and safety of their people at work.

This, besides preventing human and business costs, can also improve productivity and safeguard the company's reputation.

The fatal accidents that the media has inundated the news channels with in the past few months clearly show that there is a lot still to be done in Malta at government and organisational levels to prevent such tragedies.

It is not enough that some organisations employ a health and safety representative/officer. Such a crucial position should be occupied by engineers or individuals who have experience in the field and are highly qualified in occupational safety, health and the environment, to mention the least.

The University of Greenwich, UK, represented in Malta by the FHRD, is offering for the second year a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Occupational Safety, Health and Environment (OSHE) through distance learning.

The degree covers environmental industrial pollution, introduction to risk assessment, ergonomics, physical agents, environmental industrial management and management of risk. During the two year part-time programme students will sit for two exams.

They will also submit a dissertation at the end of the course for which a supervisor will be assigned whose role will be to advise on the development and selection of issues, the areas of study and methodology used. Tutorials will be given to students in Malta twice a year.

An information meeting on this degree will be held at the FHRD in San Gwann on Saturday, June 2 at 9 a.m. The next intake is due in September, with July 6 being the closing date for applications. Those interested are to contact Maria Pia Chircop on 2137-8895 or mpchircop@fhrd.org.