The importance of health and safety

Following the recent tragic accident at Medserv Freeport dock, the Chamber of Engineers would like to emphasise, once more, the importance of health and safety. The Chamber offers its condolences to the victim’s family.

Through an integrated approach to managing risk, regardless of whether the risk relates to the activities on a construction site or an event for the general public, good arrangements for risk management highlight the organisation’s ability to identify and manage the risks in a decisive manner and hence have risk management embedded in its organisational culture.

Risk assessments should be comprehensive and address different possible risk scenarios such that the necessary risk mitigation measures are taken, to render the environment safe. Workers should also act vigilantly, continuously evaluating and minimising risk in their actions by complying with health and safety regulations in any activities they may partake in and follow the control measures identified in the risk assessment. This is also the duty of their line managers and the management structure of the organisation as already mentioned previously.

Engineers should endeavour to be the catalysts of not only change and innovation but also of a safe working environment. We are to be the guardians of quality and integrity within society. For further information on health and safety at the workplace visit the OHSA website http://ohsa.org.mt