1. Occupational Safety and Health A Caricom Perspective CERSSO April 29, 2004

2. Occupational Safety and Health
History
National Perspectives
Antigua and Barbuda and the OECS
Dominica
Trinidad and Tobago
Suriname
Caricom Model
Differences in National Perspectives
Constraints

3. History
Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica and the OECS Countries and Trinidad and Tobago - British Model (emphasis on Factories)
Suriname - Dutch Model (emphasis on factories and injuries)
Development and Enactment of OSH legislation

4. National Perspectives
Antigua - Enactment of Revised legislation in 1975
Dominica - In Revised legislation
Trinidad and Tobago - In Revised legislation is in preparation for enactment
Suriname - After Independence (1975) - New Regulation - (a) Insurance benefits for injuries (1976)

5. National Perspectives
(b) The employer has an obligation to maintain an accident register
Suriname contd
After Revolution in 1980, in 1981, the emphasis was on safety procedures within the health framework

6. Caricom Model
In 1996, Ministers of Labour from Caricom countries formulated the model based on the ILO Code of Practice on recording and notification of occupational accidents and diseases and the best practices from the legislations of the various caricom countries
An idealistic framework

7. Differences in National Perspectives
OECS countries and Suriname are upgrading legislation to meet Caricom model
Trinidad and Tobago OSH Act:No1 of 2004 covers all industrial establishments except premises for residential purposes. However, special measures are included for pregnant women

8. Constraints Lack of financial resources Lack of trained personnel
Absence of a consistent public education programme (except Suriname)
Absence of technical equipment
Absence of national and regional databases
Generally, lack of opportunity for tertiary education