Following a recent Cabinet decision, Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection Keith Scott has appointed the Chairman and members of the National Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH).
A release from Scott’s ministry said that the seventeen- member body will serve for one year affective August 1st, 2016. It will be chaired by Andrew Garnett who is an Occupational Safety Expert in his own right.
A number of fatal accidents have occurred on work sites this year and questions have been asked about the investigations that have been done of these cases and the rights of the families of the deceased.
The release noted that the appointment of the NACOSH is provided for by the Occupational Safety and Health Act, CAP. 99:10.
The release said that the NACOSH which has been “dormant and dysfunctional for almost four years” comes at a time when government has renewed its commitment to workers’ social protection.
Scott expressed the hope that the NACOSH will carefully examine the relevant laws and recommend the necessary changes. Scott also told the Council that due to the higher level to which industrial accident investigations are being taken, it may be proper for members of the council to join with the Occupational Safety and Health Officer of the Ministry from time to time in the conduct of those investigations.
