Govt reviewing “antiquated” health and safety regulations

Attorney General Anil Nandlall has announced that the government is undertaking a comprehensive overhaul of its health and safety regulations to ensure they keep pace with the rapid transformation of workplaces across all sectors nationwide.

“We are currently reviewing the health and safety regulations of Guyana. The health and safety regulations or regulatory framework of Guyana is wholly antiquated, old and requires overhaul and modernisation,” he said during his programme “Issues in the News” on Tuesday.

According to Nandlall, this undertaking is much needed in light of the rapidly changing work environments countrywide.

“Over the last five to six years, there has even been a greater transformation and the regulatory framework that existed before this unprecedented construction boom and economic boom that we are enjoying cannot regulate effectively and efficiently that which is taking place now,” he explained.

“And if you think about it, you will see what I’m speaking about. We never had the size of the magnitude of construction that is taking place,” he added.

Referring to major projects like the new Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge, Nandlall highlighted the modern types of equipment and practices being employed now in construction.

“Look at the equipment that are being used now in construction. We never had an oil and gas sector before. We now have a large oil and gas sector. So, the regulatory framework that existed dating back to the 50s and 60s can’t effectively regulate in the best interest of the welfare of everyone. Contractor, employer, employee, other persons in close proximity are all going to be affected or are all exposed to the perils of an inadequate system,” Nandlall noted.

This initiative is being undertaken by the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning with support from the Attorney General Chambers.