Occupational Safety And Health: July 19th 2017

By: Joseph Jones

Workers! Many people ask this question: What is the strongest muscle in the human body? I did some research and it is said the tongue, but I find it hard to determine.

But you and I know it is very strong and that it can do a lot of damage. It is a little muscular organ that help us to eat, swallow, taste and begin digestion, It also has a tendency to assist us in saying things we should not. It is guilty of flattery, cursing, lying and harming others.

Hello! It sounds like a pretty dangerous muscle, doesn’t it? But here is the good thing-it allow us to write and say, to speak to truth and share love and education to you the workers – of St. Kitts and Nevis in the field of Occupational Safety and Health (Which brings healing).

I am often thinking back to the years as an apprentice at the workplace, the risks that one had to undertake for a livelihood; all that time the “Awareness” was not there. However, in comparing things today, we must say a very big “thank you” to the Education Branch of the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades & Labour Union.

Workers, listen to this, there is really no substitute for work. Every effort must be made to put the hands of (we) the workers to useful and profitable employment.

This is one of our major priorities and every effort must be forged to make it possible for us to earn a decent living. When considering the health and safety of workers, there can be no substitute in terms of wages. At a time of economic hardship, the safety and health of workers is often forgotten. Hear this it is only considered when economic prosperity prevails, by that time it may be too late for a number of us.

Good safety and health in any workplace benefits not only the workers but also management in terms of productivity and leads to greater prosperity for the country as a whole.

Before I close, let me ask you this question as I point out that life in this world can be distressing: Is there anywhere we can turn for reliable help and comfort?

The Bible says “The Father of tender mercies and the God of All comfort – comforts us in all our trials,” With the Trade Union, approach involves prevention rather than cure with emphasis placed on controlling hazard at source rather than relying on getting workers adapt to unsafe conditions or wear protective clothing which is often not suited or designed for us in the Caribbean and will only give a false sense of security. Workers, it is not too late for a fresh start. Until next week.

Thank you.