“The concept of prevention is most effective when implemented from a young age, particularly when it concerns health and security,” Education, Youth and Employment Minister Louis Galea said yesterday at the launch of the character Napo education booklets.

Both the character Napo and the leaflets are part of a European strategy which aims to mainstream health and security in the educational systems so that there is active involvement in this sector from a young age, Dr Galea explained.

“The Education Division has an important role in state schools to ensure a healthy and protected environment and also to put forward the issues of health and safety among students. There are 70 health and safety teachers: 10 at primary schools and 60 in secondary schools,” Dr Galea said.

In primary schools there are educational programmes for children in the fourth, fifth and sixth grade as well as regular check-ups of fire fighting equipment in order to ensure it is up to standard.

In secondary schools, apart from the safety audits and risk assessments which take place at all schools, seminars and safety weeks are also held for all students. Fire drills are held twice a year so that students practice the fire evacuation plan and know what to do if such a situation comes up.

With the help of the European Agency for Health and Security on the Work Place, the division is setting up a number of initiatives for different ages. Napo is addressed to children aged eight to 11.

Various educational activities are included in the leaflet which will be distributed in primary schools while films and posters of Napo will be distributed in secondary schools. Security and health will also be discussed.

“Education and information are an essential part of the work of the authority, as I believe that reinforcement is not enough,” Joanna Drake, chairperson of Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA), said. “It is extremely important that the ‘macho’ culture many workers and employees have changes – the best way to try achieve such change is from a young age.”

Chief executive officer of OHSA, Mark Gauci explained that the OHSA organises an information campaign on a particular subject every year. Last year’s theme was construction work while noise pollution at the work place will be tackled this year.

Next year, he explained, the campaign will be held on a European level and will be aimed towards secondary as well as post secondary students including MCAST. Dr Gauci said Napo had been a success and the children who were introduced to the character eventually spread his message to their elders.

A European consortium created the character of Napo but Malta alone created the leaflets and costume, Dr Gauci said.

In fact, the European Agency borrowed the costume to set up activities in the European Parliament and Commission.

Dr Gauci is convinced the character of Napo will reach its aim in making the workplace a safer place for all workers.