Traffic risk

Satish Nakched, Suva

Earlier this week, I notice four Nasinu municipality workers removing weed that grew through cracks on the concrete pavement along Kings Rd, at the junction of the Kinoya traffic lights, just opposite the World Harvest Centre. It was about 8:30 in the morning during the peak traffic rush hour and there was no administrative signages, such as the traffic cones or any warning device placed near the work area. And the workers did not wear any reflector vests.

The risk exposure was high of an accident and constituted a breach of the duty of care by the management of the organisation.

Duty of care is the legal responsibility of a person or organisation to avoid any behaviours or omissions that could reasonably be foreseen to cause harm to their workers or others at a place of work. Just last week was the OHS Day celebration throughout the country.

In attendance were officials from the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation and the Fiji Trade Union Congress, who reiterated the same message of the workers welfare and their rights.

This year’s theme was ‘Safe and Healthy Working Environment as a Fundamental Principle and Right at Work’.

Probably, the message did not go through, and the employers continue to discharge their responsibilities towards the workers unethically.

And this only happens if the enforcement agency fails in its duty to implement the laws.

Our law states that if a person is required to work at a place where moving vehicles create a risk to safety, systems of work and where appropriate, signs, warning devices, barriers, detours and high visibility clothing in accordance with the current Land Transport Act, shall be displayed and used to minimise the risk.

There is a need to walk the talk aligned to the theme of the year and show tangible evidence of enforcement by the relevant authorities to eliminate workplace injuries, diseases and death.