To be honest, mulling over whether or not to write this letter, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that I would probably be wasting my time and valuable newspaper space. How many more lives must continue to be destroyed, how many more loved ones must mourn their terrible loss, perhaps never to be comforted, and how many more workers must succumb to debilitating injury before employers and employees alike start to observe occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation?
The tragedy lies here: Act XXVII of 2000 (Chapter 424 of the Laws of Malta) isn’t asking anyone to rebuild the Giza Pyramids. In simple terms, and in a nutshell, the legal provisions that stem from the Act lay down that if a workplace hazard is identified, and the risk of that particular hazard causing harm is staring everybody straight in the face, then suitable measures have to be put in place to eliminate or reduce this risk to acceptable levels in order to prevent injury, or worse, from happening. God, destiny and rotten luck have absolutely nothing to do with it, although if one wants to drag God into it, then at least one would do well to remember the adage “God helps those who help themselves”. And also, let’s not forget that one’s home, garage and vehicle are workplaces too!
The question now begs itself: “So if OHS legislation is that easy to conform to, why is it taking so long for the culture change to set inside the national psyche?” As far as a good number of employers are concerned, it is, surprise, surprise, often a question of euro and euro cents – notwithstanding the fact that OHS literature is full of research confirming that safeguarding employees’ physical and psychological health does actually pay dividends in the long run. When it comes to certain employees themselves, complacency and the preservation of a macho image (e.g. “Personal Protective Equipment [PPE] is for sissies”) are just two
reasons.
The Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) can’t perform miracles on a shoestring budget. So what’s the government waiting for? And how much effort are the political parties, the major unions and the Archbishop’s Curia actually putting into getting the message across, i.e. that life and health are worth much, much more (‘priceless’ is the word, I believe) than the City Gate Project (with or without an open – air theatre); water and electricity bills and the Pope’s visit?
Matthew Coleiro, only 21, of Siggiewi, had his life literally crushed out of him by 16 marble slabs on Wednesday morning at Mosta Industrial Estate. He used to play football for Qrendi FC. What does one tell his family and friends? For they no doubt expected him to return home from work that day as he went out the door, bidding them goodbye.
Martin Bugeja
BALZAN