The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Prime Minister's Office are looking into improving the structural organisation within the government, to ensure adherence to regulations on workplace safety and health.

The latest move to boost workplace safety was disclosed yesterday, by Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Home Affairs on the sidelines of World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2016, which was observed at the Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD).

The minister also cited two separate construction site accidents which happened last year, at Jalan Aman and the Kuala Belait Science College, prompting the government to issue guidelines on health and safety for contractors.

Stating that workplace health and safety should be top priority, the minister said, "Employees are being exposed to dangers in the workplace. In order to avert fatalities or accidents at work, it is vital that every private
and public organisation complies with the Workplace Safety and Health Order of 2009. The government is working to ensure that all ministries and organisations abide by the regulations."

Despite a decrease in the number of work-related accidents last year, the minister said, "We should not leave anything to chance. Workplace safety and health is of great importance, and the Commissioner of Labour will closely monitor health and safety issues in the workplace."

Meanwhile, Haji Rani bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Mohd Yusof, the Acting Commissioner of Labour, brought up the issue of safety risks to construction workers, in his speech marking World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2016.

"Some of the major causes of workplace accidents and incidents in the country, which mainly occur in the construction industry, involve workers falling from height or being hit by falling objects," he said.

"Employers and employees should continuously strive to be aware of the risks and hazards when working at height, and proper training should be given to all workers especially those required to work at height.

"Employers are reminded to make sure that their workers are aware of basic safety and health issues, and have been trained to work safely at heights."

On the topic of work-related stress, he said, "Some ,amount of workplace stress is normal, while excessive stress can interfere with your productivity and impact your physical emotional health. Your ability to deal with it can mean the difference between failure and success."

He then called for an effective programme to prevent workplace stress, including proper identification of psychosocial risks and an assessment of work performances.

"It is important for everyone to be aware of the causes behind workplace stress and how to prevent it."

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

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