Sterling work carried out by the occupational safety watchdog is “grossly unappreciated” and its “greatest weakness” was in its public relations, its chairman, Labour MP Manuel Mallia, has lamented.
Writing in the Occupational Health and Safety Authority’s annual report, Dr Mallia complained that positive indicators of improving safety remained unacknowledged and unreported by the media, which often gave the impression it was only interested in reporting in a sensational manner certain accidents.
He said a PR campaign would be launched to inform the public about the watchdog’s functions, create “good perceptions regarding the OHSA” and dispel erroneous perceptions not based on facts.
The campaign should emphasise the OHSA’s achievements
“The campaign should emphasise the OHSA’s achievements in the field of occupational health and safety while helping to foster a solid relationship between the OHSA and the media, which is based on mutual respect and understanding of the respective roles”, the former Cabinet minister said.
The OHSA report says that about €62 million is being lost annually due to inadequate levels of occupational health and safety.
Four fatal accidents at work were recorded last year, all involving male victims falling from a height while working on construction sites. Two of the deceased were self-employed and the other two employed with a small contracting company
Injury and fatality accidents rates have been showing persistent downward trends since 2002, the OHSA’s first full year of operations, according to the report. In the case of fatal occupational accidents, the rate for 2018 was 1.7 per 100,000 employees and 1,400 per 100,000 employees in terms of injuries.
The construction sector remains a focus of attention, the OHSA report notes, adding that almost all inspections at building sites were routinely followed up by further visits to ensure compliance. Many still expect the health and safety watchdog to remedy situations that were beyond its legal remit, such as damage to third-party property, working hours, traffic management and road closures, the report points out. In such cases, the OHSA still inspects the site giving rise to the complaint to ascertain compliance with the law while officially referring the original complaint to the responsible entity.