The UWI Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health (OESH) Programme will join the international community in celebrating World Day for Safety and Health at Work under the theme Managing Risk in the Work Environment: my life, my work, my safe work.


To mark the day a Symposium will be held at the Chemistry Lecture Theatre 5 (Chem 5) beginning at 5:30 pm on April 28, 2008.

Dr. Benjamin Alli, Technical Cooperation and Advisory Services Co-ordinator for the International Labour Organization (ILO) HIV/AIDS Global Programme will be the keynote speaker. Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles will also address the Symposium.

Topics being addressed at the Symposium include: Role of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and Recommendations for Moving Forward, Managing Risks in the Jamaican Workplace by Overcoming Cultural Barriers and Managing Risk from Natural Hazards in the Jamaican Workplace.

Everywhere in the world people are exposed to safety and health hazards at work. In 2005, the ILO estimated that 2.2 million people die every year from work-related accidents and diseases. In Latin America and the Caribbean alone, it is estimated that 36 occupational accidents occur every minute resulting in 300 deaths per day. This worrying trend can be reversed through proper risk management in the workplace.

As the leader in tertiary level education in the region, the UWI is engaging the public in order to raise awareness about Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health issues and also highlight measures that may be taken to reduce risk in the workplace.

The University of the West Indies, Mona is also engaged in training in the area through its Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health Programme that is offered at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

For further information contact:

Elva Clarke
Coordinator - Special Project
UWI Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health (OESH) Programme
Phone: 876-512-3107/ 977-1834
E-mail: elvamail@gmail.com/ elva.clarke@uwimona.edu.jm