OSHA a big dog without a bite

ADISA DOUGHLIN

THE OCCUPATIONAL Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) is tasked with the fundamental duty of ensuring that occupational safety and health standards are maintained throughout the country.

However, recent occurrences have raised doubt on the agency's efficacy and capacity to safeguard the local labour force. The untimely death of WASA employee Kern Etienne, who was working in a trench along the Rienzi Kirton Highway in San Fernando, is one such occurrence that brings these concerns to light.

The goal of OSHA is to protect the welfare of employees and establish a safe workplace, but is it fulfilling its duty? Let's examine the events leading up to Etienne's demise and the ensuing OSHA investigation.

The terrible passing of Etienne stunned TT. He was a devoted worker for WASA, tasked to do a job in an environment that was expected to meet safety and regulatory standards. However, on that fateful Sunday, he was buried alive in a trench due to a workplace accident.

This horrific accident calls into question both the general safety procedures and OSHA's involvement in preventing tragedies of this nature.

OSHA ought to have procedures and systems in place to stop these kinds of incidents as it is the regulator of worker health and safety. But people are starting to doubt the agency's effectiveness, suggesting that it might be a "big dog without a bite."

Inspectors were appointed to the case when OSHA executive director Carolyn Sancho acknowledged that an investigation into Etienne's death had been opened. Although this is a critical step in guaranteeing accountability, the more general question of why the incident happened in the first place and what could have been done to prevent it still has to be answered.

WASA CEO Kelvin Romain launched an internal investigation in addition to OSHA's probe. This implies that there may be concerns regarding the OSHA investigation's effectiveness and completeness. In addition, Romain paid a visit to Etienne's family to offer his condolences and to offer counselling services to the members of staff who were on the scene, understanding the importance of emotional support during this trying time.

It is crucial to stress that the Occupational Safety and Health Act ought to apply to employers in TT. The legal duties and responsibilities that employers have to protect the health and safety of their employees are outlined in this legislation. Adherence to this legislation is mandatory; it is a mandated legal obligation to furnish a safe and healthy work environment for employees.

The challenge experienced by new graduates holding bachelor's degrees in OSH (occupational safety and health) is another issue that needs to be addressed. A number of OSH graduates have reported that it is extremely difficult to get a job with OSHA, even though there seems to be a need for safety officers. Given the current emphasis on workplace safety, it is puzzling that experts with the necessary qualifications are having difficulty getting hired.

These graduates have a thorough awareness of OSH standards, are well armed with knowledge, and are prepared to enhance the standards of occupational safety and health. Their skills and knowledge, though, appear to be underutilised. Reaching out to this group of grads could help the OSHA agency in its endeavours to maintain workplace safety.

The phrase "a big dog without a bite" sums up the increasing belief that OSHA may not be accomplishing its goals. OSHA must be assertive in its authority and make sure it has the "bite" necessary to enforce workplace safety regulations. The terrible incident with Etienne highlights how important the organisation is to preventing similar tragedies and penalising those involved in malpractice.

To reiterate, OSHA in TT has a number of difficulties, which are exemplified by the death of Kern Etienne, the inquiries that followed, the difficulties that graduates of the programme have in finding work, and the significance of employer adherence to the OSH Act.

OSHA must get back its bite in order to protect workers and keep workplaces safe. Only then can workplace safety regulations become a reality for all workers in TT, and not simply words on paper. In order to improve its workforce and further its purpose, OSHA should also take into account the unrealised potential of OSH graduates.