Major Clive Davis, managing director of Safety and Emergency Management Systems, has argued that far too many Jamaicans are operating in inhumane working conditions. Davis, who was speaking at the Jamaica Occupational Health Profes-sionals Association's (JOHPA) annual general meeting on Sunday, said his analysis was based on data gleaned through his firm's audits of organisations.

Unsafe hospital

A Corporate Area hospital was among several entities he high-lighted as culpable in exposing persons to unsafe or unhealthy circumstances. He disclosed that the hospital, which he declined to identify, had an incineration facility which was not being properly managed. Davis argued that the area was not a controlled environment, adding that even used needles were available to intruders.

"It is even accessible by coke heads (drug pushers), so they would just walk in and get their needles," he said. "I have seen this happen and was told that it is a regular spot for these persons."

The Safety and Emergency Management Systems boss added that managers were not placing sufficient emphasis on ensuring that workplace standards were being enforced by line supervisors and other staff.

"In some of these businesses, the workplace managers can't die from accidents, as the (standard of) protective equipment is high at their level," Davis said."It is evident, from the audits, that the higher you get, the less likely you are to die from workplace accidents."

In his critique, Davis lambasted some retail stores in which cashiers were denied basic comforts and were forced to use cardboards as stool cushions during long work periods.

More consideration needed

With reports by the International Labour Organisation indicating that 250 million work-related accidents occur annually worldwide, Davis said managers should be more considerate of occupational conditions, urging them to foster employee buy-in by encouraging feedback.

"Despite the odds, employees should use the necessary forums available to them, such as staff meetings, to make their concerns known. They need to speak out against these types of things," said Davis, who praised JOHPA for its fight to improve workplace standards in Jamaica.

Chairman of JOHPA, Dr Owen James, told the meeting that the one-year-old association was on a mission to minimise occupational illness or injury, while promoting workplace health.

nadisha.hunter@gleanerjm.com