Health, Safety, the Environment and Standards
The proclamation of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act has seen an increased awareness of workplace safety in Trinidad and Tobago. The OSH Act is now operational and all businesses are subject to it since it became effective on February 17, 2006. The first charges laid under the Act were heard by the Industrial Court in February 2007. Overall, the Act has added a number of offences. Safety and Health Offences will be dealt with by the Industrial Court while Summary Offences will be dealt with by the Magistrates Court.
In terms of implementation, the OSH Authority has been appointed and is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the OSH Act through the OSH Agency. Its Chairman is Wayne Bertrand. The other members of the OSH Authority are drawn from NGOs, the labour movement, the private sector and Government, and the body is also responsible for executing and publishing research on Occupational Safety and Health.
The OSH Agency itself is in the process of be...
