The people of Malta need to change their mentality from one of carelessness and macho behaviour to one which is more safety orientated, said the Malta Employers Association and the Union Haddiema Maghqudin yesterday.

The MEA and UHM are about to launch a joint educational campaign in an effort to stem the amount of injuries and fatalities that take place at workplaces around the country.

UHM president Gejtu Tanti said that the crux of the matter was that it is not employers alone or employees alone who are responsible, but both together.

MEA president Pierre Fava said no compromise should be made in safeguarding workers’ health. He said that the educational campaign is being aimed at both employers and employees. “The sad thing is that when we actually look at accidents, in hindsight, the majority could have been prevented. It is important that we do this together. We need more checks and enforcement too. When it comes to safety we should go through everything from A to Z,” said Mr Fava.

UHM secretary general Gejtu Vella said it was important to remember that workplace accidents did not only mean construction workers, or those who risked spilling blood.

“Health and safety comes into everything, for example inhalation of asbestos, excessive time at the computer and others who could be exposed to repetitive strain injury,” he said.

MEA CEO Joe Farrugia said the mentality of carelessness, or that “it will never happen to me” needed to change. “We need a whole culture change and yes, there is a need for more inspections,” he said.

Taking questions from the floor, Mr Vella said that a risk assessment exercise should be carried out, especially at large plants or construction sites.

“If you don’t know the dangers, then you cannot address the problems they pose,” he said.

He also said that the Malta Environment and Planning Authority should get more involved in making sure that building permits stipulate the minimum required safety equipment, as well as carrying out inspections.

He also suggested that builders should attend health and safety courses.

In addition, he said, it was important to make sure that children are educated from a young age so as to make sure that they can be part of the change in mentality.