OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CHECKLIST
FOR QUARRIES, CONCRETE & CONSTRUCTION SITES
The Labour Act Cap 16.04 of the Revised laws of Saint Lucia at Part IV (Occupational Safety and Health) provides clear guidelines and sets out the obligations of Employers, Employees, Contractors and the like to protect workers and themselves from hazards in the workplace. We have consulted with the Chief Medical Officer on the issues as relates to COVID -19 for this sector and provide the following guidelines which MUST be adhered to:
- Provide workers with all the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) needed to perform his/her duties.
This includes but is not limited to:
- Hard hats
- Footwear
- Gloves
- Safety goggles
- Coveralls
- Dust mask or respirators based on the activities and the exposure. (respiratory protection is mandatory for all at the construction site)
- Avoid close contact with other co-workers (6 feet distance).
- Train workers in the proper use of personal protective equipment.
- Ensure that employees use PPE at all times while performing duties. Employees shall not be allowed on the site without the necessary PPE.
- Ensure fall protection measures (nets, scaffold) are in place for work at heights. Where collective fall protection measures are not possible, persons working at heights shall be provided with the appropriate fall arrest/restraint equipment such as harnesses.
- Scaffolds must be erected and inspected by competent person(s) and the results recorded.
- All work equipment, plant and machinery are to be maintained in a safe condition and inspected regularly before use. All tools and machinery shall be properly guarded and protected.
- Appropriate first-aid devices must be provided on-site.
- Portable drinking water must be provided on site and easily accessible by all employees.
- Access to washroom and handwashing facilities or hand sanitizers.
- Workers with flu symptoms should be removed from the work site and must receive medical attention.
- Report all occupational accidents to the Department of Labour as stipulated in Section 246 of the Labour Act; that is within seventy-two (72) hours, however in the case of death, immediately.
- Ensure systems are in place for consultation with workers on safety, health and welfare matters.
- Encourage workers to report any safety and health concerns.
- Approval will be granted by the Labour Department upon submission and review of the relevant documentation, plans and previous inspections where applicable.
- Submit occupational safety and health plan/policy to the Department of Labour.
- Pay particular attention to the provisions of the following Sections of the Act:
256 - Duties of employers at construction sites
257 - General Duties of employers
260 - General Duties of employees
261 - Duties of owners at construction sites
- Adherence to all directives and guidelines from Chief Medical Officer.
- The Department of Labour reserves the right to halt all activities at any site where there is a failure on the part of any party to comply with the stipulated guidelines.