Implementation of new OHSA law launched, increase in fines issued this year - minister
Minister for the Reform of the Construction Sector, Jonathan Attard, launched the implementation process for the new law regarding the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA), saying that it will lead towards a more serious and responsible cu
Minister for the Reform of the Construction Sector, Jonathan Attard, launched the implementation process for the new law regarding the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA), saying that it will lead towards a more serious and responsible culture.
The minister said that in the first six months of 2024, a total of 260 fines were issues and 618 different forms of actions at the workplace were taken, which is higher than the 68 fines issued and 135 different forms of actions taken in all of 2023.
He added that site inspections also went up from 2,585 in 2023 to 4,000 in the first 6 months of 2024.
Attard addressed a press conference regarding the new law on the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA).
"This new law is an opportunity to unite with a strong message that the health and safety of our workers is non-negotiable," Attard said and reminded that the law is intended to address realities that developed in the last 20 years. He said that in anticipation of this new law, the Authority began working on a process of internal restructuring in the last few months, which he said already began giving positive results.
"Principally, this affected the Technical Division and led to a great increase in enforcement in which the first six months this year," Attard said.
He pointed out that although the Authority is continuing to spread its roots in various sectors, such as catering, manufacture and healthcare, the Authority is giving a committed answer to the construction sector, with the latest figures indicating that more than half the workplace inspections done were on construction sites.
Attard said that the OHSA started new initiatives that will be safeguarding the health and safety of workers exposed to dangerous chemicals and launched an awareness campaign against the effects of machinery-caused vibration. He said that complementing these figures is the commitment to invest in human resources, where an internal evaluation was also started leading towards a National Strategy for Health and Safety in Malta though consultation of stakeholders in the country and, above all, with the involvement of the Directorate of the Affairs of Health and Safety in Construction and on the workplace.
"The OHSA will be actuating the action plan with clear aims to ensure that the coming into force of the provisions of the new act will result in the taking of measures by those who are obliged to do so and ensure the protection of our workers," Attard said. He said that the process of implementation involves, amongst others, the appointment of tribunal members and those on the board of governance in accordance with the act.
Attard concluded by speaking about the government's commitment towards the actualization of more courageous reforms. The CEO of the OHSA, Josianne Cutajar spoke of the Authority's commitment to take this important law from paper to implementation and went on to thank all those involved in the consultation process, including Authority experts.
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