Better reporting of fatal and non-fatal injuries encouraged in the workforce

Representatives from government, employers and employees should actively participate and promote better reporting of fatal and non-fatal injuries as doing so will better assist government to facilitate resources to identify areas of need.

This was highlighted by the Minister of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Jone Usamate in his opening remarks at the 2017 World Day for Safety and Health at Work Celebration and workshop in Suva today.

The theme for this year’s celebration is Optimise the Collection and use of Occupational Safety Health Data.

Usamate says World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an awareness rising campaign intended to focus on the critical need for countries to improve their capacity to collect and utilise occupational safety and health data.

He says the Ministry would like to put a challenge to all present at the workshop to mark the day with the aim of improving the reporting of fatal and non-fatal accidents by ensuring there are proper reporting systems.

Usamate says they should also develop processes for reporting of incidents and near misses as they will assist in the identification of hazards and timely initiation of preventative measures to prevent or reduce workplace accidents.