Accidents at work: ‘When will we ever learn?’ PD asks

MEP candidates Martin Cauchi Inglott and Anthony Buttigieg, on behalf of Partit Demokratiku, note that not enough is being done to safeguard the health and safety of workers.

“Repeated accidents, sometimes fatal, bring to mind the fact that rather than earning a living, our workplace could actually spell the sad end of one’s life,” they said in their statement.

PD issued a statement after a Libyan worker died after falling seven storeys on Monday

“The number of reported workplace accidents over the past ten years has shown a steady decline, but are official statistics really showing us the true picture?” they asked.

“How many accidents go unreported because workers are employed illegally? Does the OHSA have the necessary resources, primarily human, to cope with the increased number of workplaces and larger workforce? Why are blatant inadequacies on construction sites not being seen to? Is it another case of anything goes? Are employers and unions devoting enough resources to ensure adequate OHS measures to mitigate workplace risks? Are employees educated and empowered to safeguard their health, that of their workmates and of the general public?”

Official Eurostat data shows that the annual fatality rate in Malta is around three deaths per 100,000 workers, when the EU average is 1.8 per 100,000, the PD statement read.

“This alone shows us that there is ample ground for improvement. Hardly ‘l-Aqwa fl-Ewropa’! For many, occupational health and safety means wearing safety shoes or a safety hat, and maybe not even that. Occupational health and safety goes way beyond wearing personal protective equipment. It is a proactive approach of mitigating and reducing risk through education, empowerment and enforcement. Alas, Malta lacks in all three.”

“The usual mantras we hear following a fatal accident sound so hollow. All parties concerned should live up to their legal and ethical responsibility to tackle this problem once and for all. Every injury and life lost at the workplace is an unnecessary hurt, or even loss, to our families.”

For PD this is an issue which warrants attention and is ready to take a lead in engaging with all stakeholders and work towards a national policy on occupational health and safety. “Our evergrowing workforce deserves nothing less.”