BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Advocate - Government is in the process of developing a national policy on safety and health, with accompanying sector-specific safety guidelines.

Word of this undertaking has come from Minister of Labour, Social Security and Human Resource Development, Senator Dr. Esther Byer-Suckoo. The Minister told those gathered at the Accra Beach Hotel yesterday morning, for the opening ceremony of Occupational Health and Safety Week 2013, that Government’s aim is to provide the enabling environment for the widespread adoption of safety and health management systems in this country.

“At present the Department has completed a safety and health guideline for the agricultural sector. By following these guidelines, companies are better positioned to comply with the new Safety and Health at Work Act. Additional sectors will be addressed in the coming months. It is important that as your sector is targeted, you take every opportunity to contribute and give feedback during the development of the policy,” she said.