Port of Spain (ILO News) - The ILO Programme on Occupational Safety and Health and Environment in the Caribbean came under review at a consultation hosted by the ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean for regional and international occupational safety and health (OSH) experts and ILO specialists involved in the Programme.

The consultation was held on 12 and 13 March 2012 at the ILO’s Office, to assess the achievements and impact of the regional Programme and to plan for targeted OSHE training and policy advisory services to be offered in 2012.

Launched in February 2011, the Programme aims to support governments as well as employers’ and workers’ organizations in their efforts to improve occupational safety and health at the enterprise and national levels.

The consultation revealed that 42 training programmes were conducted since February 2011 for representatives of governments, including labour inspectors, as well as employers’ and workers’ organizations in 13 Caribbean countries. Over 1800 officials were trained in various areas, including the OSH Management System, international labour standards on OSH, industrial hygiene, OSH hazards, OSH data collection and reporting, HIV and AIDS and the workplace, and OSH and the environment.

As a result of the training programmes and other awareness-raising activities, including activities to commemorate the World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28 April and national safety weeks, various countries of the Caribbean are in the process of reviewing their OSH legislation. The ILO has been providing technical support in OSH policy development both at the enterprise and national levels as well as in the revision of legislation, based on the CARICOM Model Law on Occupational Safety and Health and the Working Environment, and international labour standards.

The Programme draws on the expertise available both within and outside the region and includes the support of the University of the West Indies Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health Programme.