Ensure companies practise safety first at the workplace

 A LOT of companies in PNG are not complying with safety practices at the workplace. 

In any organisation or company, the health, welfare and safety of its employees should be prioritised by providing a safe, conducive working environment. 

Unlike mining companies, most of the other companies such as food processing plants, civil constructions, building companies and many more are too ignorant.

One very typical  example is the building company  engaged to build a two-storey steel building in Mt Hagen close to the Hagen Park Secondary School. 

Just last  week, a  workers fell from  a  poorly erected scaffold at eight metres high. 

The company does not provide proper personal protective equipment to its employees. 

It is an alarming to see poor employees working barefeet and without safety glasses, hand gloves, shirts or pants and even hard hats to protect them from falling objects.

There are no safety harnesses and scaffolds do not have toe boards, complete floors, handrails or safe access. 

To make things worse, there are no certified scaffolders to erect and dismantle scaffolds. 

There must be fixed scaffolds, rather than mobile ones, with standard safety harnesses and lanyards in such high-risk buildings. 

There are also no proper safety training like induction training, pre-start talks, toolbox talks, job coaching or even observation and assessment on safe work practices. 

The company is neglecting the safety of its employees by not complying with safe work practices stipulated under the Industrial Safety, Health and Welfare Act and Regulation. 

The travelling public is aware of this situation and would agree with me. 

I am urging responsible authorities such as the provincial labour and provincial health inspectors to intervene and do a thorough inspection on this project site before major injuries occur. 

Frustrated Observer

Mt Hagen