The Occupational Health and Safety Authority will be strengthened with the employment of more enforcement officers, Employment Minister Louis Galea said.
Addressing a national conference organised by the Occupational Health and Safety Institute of the General Workers' Union on Friday, Dr Galea said the authority would shortly also issue a call for the employment of officials for duties in the construction and engineering industry as well as others to provide an occupational psychology service.
The conference, held at the Corinthia Hotel in Attard, followed a high number of reports of occupational deaths and accidents, mainly construction related, over the last few months. In the aftermath, both the GWU and Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin called for action to be taken to bolster enforcement of health and safety rules at the place of work.
The minister said the authority needed to be strengthened also because the EU had a substantial number of directives which needed to be implemented and followed.
He said stiffer penalties were being planned, including fines and imprisonment, especially where breach of the law led to fatal accidents. The minister warned everyone, especially employers, to observe regulations and occupational health and safety standards. While the authority had raised awareness of the issue and educated workers and employers, it would be stepping up its inspections to ensure that the law is an effective deterrent for those who do not want to listen.
Speaking at the conference, GWU general secretary Tony Zarb said the GWU is proposing the setting up of an ad hoc committee to draw up a strategic plan to avoid accidents at places of work.
He urged workers to appoint a representative to eventually point out where the problems lie.
Mr Zarb criticised the government for failing to ratify important conventions of the International Labour Organisation in the field of occupational health and safety. Some of the conventions date back to 1986.
GWU President Salv Sammut said the proposed ad hoc committee would not fall under the Occupational Health and Safety Authority.
Three months after its appointment, he proposed, the committee would present a practical and strategic plan on health and safety at work.