NTPC’s OHS Conference Provides a Forum for the Development of the OHS Profession in Fiji
Having a resilient Occupational safety and health (OHS) system is vital for any organisation as it prepares to face the future’s emerging challenges.
An OHS management system provides the foundation for developing and implementing resilient OHS systems at the workplace.
The ISO 45001:2018 is the world’s first International Standard dealing with health and safety at work.
It provides a clear framework for organisations aiming to improve their OHS performance and better manage health and safety issues at the workplace.
It requires the direct commitment of the top management of an organisation, and covers all aspects of factors that might result in illness, injury, and in extreme cases, death.
ISO 45001:2018 is founded on the Plan, Do, Check, Act cycle, commonly referred to as the Deming Cycle, and is underpinned by the concept of ‘continual improvement’.
Continual improvement is defined as “recurring activity to enhance performance” and does not mean continuous, so the activity does not need to take place in all areas simultaneously.
ISO 45001:2008 helps an organisation achieve its OHS Management System’s intended outcomes, which includes continual improvement of OHS performance, fulfillment of legal and other requirements, and achievement of OHS objectives.
It is also applicable to any organisation regardless of its size, type and activities.
One of the key features of ISO 45001:2018 is top management’s commitment towards the OHS Management System.
The top management is required to assign and communicate roles and responsibilities throughout the organisation to implement the OHS
Management System.
The top management also needs to ensure that workers are consulted and encouraged to participate in the OHS Management System.
Some of the anticipated benefits of developing and implementing an ISO 45001:2018 OHS Management System are:
■Reductio■ of workplace incidents;
■Reduced absenteeism and staff turnover, leading to increased productivity;
■Reduced cost of insurance premiums.
■Creatio■ of a positive health and safety culture, whereby employees are encouraged to take an active role in their own health and safety;
■Rei■forced leadership commitment to proactively improve OHS performance;
■Abi●ity to meet legal and regulatory requirements;
■E■ha■ced public the organisation; and
■Improved staff morale.
COVID-19 Pandemic
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The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges globally in relation to the virus and the many effects it has had on the world of work.
The pandemic has affected nearly every aspect of the world of work, from the risk of transmission of the virus in workplaces, to OHS risks that have emerged as a result of measures to mitigate the spread of the virus.
As countries re-open their borders, it will be important for organisations to introduce or extend measures and guidelines to ensure a safe return to work.
The importance of strengthening OHS systems has therefore been brought to the fore as employers worldwide are still grappling with how best to deal with the risks that this pandemic poses to their workers and business operations.
Small and medium-sized enterprises may require additional support to implement workplace health and safety practices.
Organisations will also need to consider sickness benefits and paid care leave entitlements in the event of community transmission of the virus following the re-opening of the borders.
This conference provides an opportunity for the local workforce and organisations to learn from their peers as well as resource speakers on the strategies that have been used to ensure business survival during the pandemic and in preparation for the opening of the borders.
2021 OHS Conference
The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Conference takes place annually, which provides an ideal forum for the exchange of knowledge, practices, and experience between participants to promote health and safety at workplaces in Fiji.
The theme for this year’s conference is ‘Implementing Resilient OHS Systems’, and this encapsulates the holistic concept of ensuring that OHS hazards at the workplace are effectively identified, and the risk from these hazards is adequately assessed and managed.
This ensures that all practicable steps can be taken to ensure that workplace OHS hazards do not pose a risk to people’s health and safety at the workplace.
The National Conference on Occupational Health and Safety was initiated by the Fiji National University, through the National Training and Productivity Centre, in 2018.
The conference is scheduled to coincide with the Internal Labour Organisation’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work, which is commemorated annually on April 28.
The first conference was held at the Pearl Resort in 2018 and was attended by approximately 170 participants.
In the 2019, the conference was held at Novotel, Lami, and was attended by approximately 220 participants.
The 2020 event had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The past conferences have been very successful and positive feedbacks have been received from various industry stakeholders.
Benefits of attending the Conference
The conference will use this opportunity to raise awareness and stimulate dialogue on the importance of creating and investing in resilient OHS systems.
Local and international resource speakers will elaborate on key highlights at the conference such as:
■Psycho●ogica● First Aid – humane, supportive and practical assistance provided to those who have recently suffered a serious stressor such as a workplace accident;
■Covid-19 Vaccination Programme – an important step in preparing the country and its workforce for the re-opening of the borders;
■The OHS Profession – explores the changes that have occurred in the OHS profession and challenges for the future;
■E■ha■ci■g OHS Training Through Virtual Reality – use of virtual reality to augment training activities so that participants can experience real life scenario to supplement their classroom learning;
■Diversity and Social Inclusion at the Workplace – the challenges of working with people from diverse backgrounds will be explored with practical guidance on how to overcome these challenges.
A safe work environment and a healthy workforce are the key prerequisites for workplace productivity.
Understanding the factors that affect
health and safety at the workplace is critical for any organisation, as this will allow the organisation to implement measures that ensures that business operations are not adversely impacted by these factors.
Adverse impacts include workplace incidents and accidents that can not only have a huge impact on business operations, but have associated follow on effects on the worker, their family and the wider community.
By attending this conference, participants will be able to reinforce and build networks and alliances, which can facilitate a platform for the development of knowledge, and strategic and practical ideas suitable for the local context.
The conference can also provide valuable networking opportunities for OHS practitioners such as OHS Managers, OHS Officers, OHS Consultants and many more.
Furthermore, OHS practitioners play a very important role in the Fijian workforce in ensuring that the workers have a safe work environment that is free from negative health effects.
This conference ensures that there is a strong focus on the continued professional development of the OHS practitioners in Fiji so that they can better perform their roles at workplaces in Fiji.
NTPC courses
The National Training and Productivity Centre (NTPC) provides a short course in OHS, including developing and implementing an OHS Management System based on ISO 45001:2018.
In addition to this, we can also develop and deliver customised training and consultancy solutions based on industry request.
Further information on the conference or our services can be obtained by emailing info.ntpc@fnu.ac.fj.