‘OHSA cannot satisfy demands for enforcement’

While the conclusions of the OHSA Report stated that the authority worked hard to establish a reputation of an impartial organisation, having necessary means of resources, it was earlier stated in the same report that the authority could not satisfy all demands for enforcement actions to be taken.

Anġlu Farrugia (PL) argued that the authority could not keep operating with six inspectors. What was the government waiting to strengthen the authority’s inspectorate?

Earlier, Dr Farrugia insisted there should be regular enforcement to ensure that workers worked responsibly to be able to guarantee their health and safety.

The OHSA report showed that 20 persons were professionals in management grades while there were only six general inspectors. If the government really had the issue of employees’ health and safety at its heart, it had to address this imbalance.

Speaking on inspection in Hexagon House, Dr Farrugia quoted the Health Minister who had argued that the problem was caused by environmental emissions. Meanwhile, he argued that the opposition was not satisfied with the OHSA investigations, which stated that symptoms described by the employees were not specific.

He questioned whether the authority had purchased equipment, funded by EU funds, to monitor the level of toxic emissions and if so, what happened with it.

If the OHSA complained that it had no funds to take on new personnel, how would it operate the new judicial function?

While the authority was responsible for ensuring that physical and psychological wellbeing of all employees in all sectors, a professional person who was in charge of this sector had left the authority but had not been replacement. He also questioned whether the authority provided training to its officials.

The estimates provided in the OHSA report were not clear. Training expenses were down by 70 per cent while utility bills increased from €3,000 to €18,700.

There was also an increase of €2,000 in legal fees. Dr Farrugia stressed that the legal office within the authority should be independent and it should not be used to favour a legal firm close to the government. The honoraria given to members of the authority should have been declared per capita.

The authority should be more professional, accountable and should have foresight of targets. Moreover it must adopt a model of analysis to improve its operations.

Dr Farrugia said that when elected to government, the PL would ensure the employees’ health and safety from the very first day. It would also invest in training and strengthening of the inspectorate. Public funds should be invested seriously and not in hidden decisions to benefit fat cats.