The University of Malta will start offering a new Bachelor's Degree course in Occupational Health and Safety. The course being offered on a part-time basis by the Centre for Labour Studies is of 5 year duration and aims to offer an inter-disciplinary approach towards occupational health and safety in view of the increased need of more qualified and skilled professionals in the area.

The programme of studies shall include perspectives from occupational safety, health and safety law, occupational hygiene, occupational health, management, sociology, occupational psychology, environmental health and health and safety management amongst others.

Speaking during its launch, Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties Helena Dalli described this new Bachelor of Honours degree as an important step to increase the level of knowledge in occupational health and safety amongst future practitioners both from the theoretical and also the practical side of the subject.

Minister Dalli remarked how in 1997, the Centre for Labour Studies had introduced a Diploma course in occupational health and safety. The graduates are now providing a useful service to many stakeholders and duty holders.

Dr Dalli noted how over the last ten years, there has been a downward trend in both the number and the rate of fatal accidents. This is also confirmed by Eurostat figures which show that 1.5% of Maltese workers were involved in an accident at work, down from 3.3% in 2007.

Minister Dalli urged both employer organisations and trade unions to strive for the highest level of compliance with health and safety legislation and to uphold high standards.

Prof Godfrey Baldacchino, Chairperson of the Centre for Labour Studies addressed the group of some fifty students who will be taking up this course for the first time.