Workers should be seen as human beings and not machines.
Minister of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector, Colin Jordan, stated this as he addressed a workshop on forklift safety and best practices in forklift operations, hosted by Banks Holdings Limited (BHL) at Newton, Christ Church.
Noting that a forklift could be repaired but it may be more difficult for a human being to mend, Mr. Jordan said: “We want what is best for our workers; we want our workers to be protected; we want the risks to be reduced or eliminated. It means that we have to have the knowledge within organisations and so when organisations don’t have that knowledge it is great that Banks Holdings Limited can reach out and share the knowledge with them. We really are happy about that kind of being your brothers’ and sisters’ keeper.”
Commending BHL for its safety culture, the Minister said: “We are people who if we are impacted by workplace injuries, there will be consequences to us but also to those who depend on us. And, that culture is one that must be emulated and I am happy that Banks Holdings is making an effort to replicate that culture and to share the culture with other organisations who have facilities where it may be not too difficult for persons to be injured in the course of their work.”
He stressed the workshop was appropriate given that forklifts are used in many organisations across Barbados, such as the Port, the construction, manufacturing and distribution industries. And, he also noted that the outreach was capable of impacting a wide cross section of organisations.
Adding that his Ministry remained mindful that hazards exist in all workplaces, Mr. Jordan said when those things happen you recognise there are risks all around and workshops “serve to mitigate those risks”.
Acknowledging that BHL’s workshop was aiming to mitigate risks to persons using the forklift or those in the vicinity of its operation, he said: “That is critical. We are talking about workers; we are talking about human beings; and we want to ensure that injuries are either eliminated or kept to an absolute minimum.”
Alluding to statistics from the British Safety Council, which state that approximately five UK workers suffer debilitating and life-changing injuries every day, as a result of forklift accidents, Mr. Jordan said the numbers, although not local, serve as a reminder that employers/businesses have a responsibility under Barbados’ Safety and Health at Work Act, Cap 356 to provide adequate information and training.
Applauding BHL for ‘still looking out for others”, he maintained that all was not lost in safety and health and those entities who sent employees to participate in the exercise were demonstrating commitment to mitigating risks within the places where they operate.
Meanwhile, Plant Manager with BHL, Cecily Gillett, acknowledging the level of participation, said: “Every employee in Barbados should leave work and return home in the same condition or better. Our safety goal is not just about accidents but about eliminating all safety incidents in the workplace. Your questions and your feedback will be beneficial for our future sessions and are crucial in this journey for zero workplace incidents in Barbados.”
The Workplace Transport (Forklift Operation) Education & Demonstration Workshop represented the company’s first safety education initiative to members of the public and private sectors on the topic.