It was a horrific scene at Motootua when a linesman was electrocuted while doing something he had done several times before. This incident puts to light the safety practices at work.

The man is still in hospital and has not been cleared of any danger. The Electric Power Corporation has ordered an investigation to find out what went wrong and who was at fault.  EPC is one of those companies that has put safety first because the work involves working with high-voltage wires.

Low Voltage cables include voltages up to 1000V. Medium Voltage Cables from 1000V to 35,000V. High Voltage cables from 35,000V to 230kV. Extra High Voltage above 230,000V. The risks are high and therefore as an employer EPC ensures the safety of workers is paramount.

The investigation will show what really happened and hopefully, this will be done sooner rather than later. EPC also needs to make the findings of this investigation public.

While this incident has caught the attention of the public, many health and safety violations at workplaces around the country continue to happen. Employers are required to provide a safe and healthy working environment. It is a legal obligation.

The workers in the sanitation industry who collect garbage. They are without proper gear. They do not have safety shoes, or over-rolls, and gloves are missing.  Some are riding at the back of the trucks on top of the garbage.

Similar scenes can be observed in the construction industry. No safety shoes or hard hats at many of the sites. Workers just wear slippers and do the work that involves hazards. Supermarkets with warehouses are also examples where safety is being neglected.

Even for office work, employers must provide proper chairs that prevent back injuries. Adequate breaks at work are also health and safety issues.

The security officers in this country working for private firms are subjected to work for more than 24 hours without the proper safety gear. This is not only an exploitation of labour but a violation of so many health and safety requirements.

All employees have the right to be safe at work. Employers are obligated to ensure the employees are not injured or put at risk during working hours and return home safely. The lack of safety checks and enforcement by the relevant authorities has allowed the health and safety issues at many workplaces to go from bad to worse.

The ministry responsible held a health and safety workshop earlier this year. It could have been an attempt to create awareness or just to tick a box as required under the conventions signed with the International Labour Organisation.

If health and safety at workplaces are to be improved, there needs to be regular checks by an enforcement unit. Failure to adhere to set health and safety policies should result in a stop-work situation.

The law must be amended to include the fact that each office or company, either private or government has health and safety-certified personnel. The ministry must run this training and check on the certifications each year. Employers not adhering to safety policies need to be fined.

People need safe working environments. Creating a safe work environment is arguably the employer’s most important job. A safe place to work means employees have little to no risk of developing an injury or illness while on the job.

Occupational safety is important for several reasons. First and foremost, an employee should never compromise their health and bodily safety to complete a job. Instead, employers have both the legal and moral obligation to provide a working environment free from known risks.

A work environment free from injuries and accidents attracts employees. Employees are more satisfied and productive in such an environment. A safe work environment is essential for both employees and employers alike. It is the right of all employees to have safety in the workplace. Workplace safety is essential regardless of the size of a company. All companies, big or small, need to incorporate safety in their workplaces.

Well-implemented safety measures keep employees safe and also protect industrial equipment. It is the responsibility and duty of employers to protect their employees and keep them safe.

This is why workplace safety and health measures are necessary. They are essential for the well-being of employers and employees alike. The feeling of assurance that one has, knowing that he will return safely from work, is more significant than anything else.