Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698924819608.pdf (Trinidad and Tobago)
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT October 2008 – September 2009 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY The Occupational Safety and Health Authority is a multi stakeholder advisory body for the Minister of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise Development (MLSMED), established October 2006 on the basis of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 2004 as amended, (OSH Act).
The core task of the Authority is to encourage the enforcement of the OSH Act, to promote training, research, information and to approve Codes of Practice.

The OSH Agency is the executive arm of the OSH Authority, and also a Statutory Body of the MLSMED.

The Agency is responsible for carrying out enforcement, promotional activity and other functions, under the Authority.
The Mission of the OSH Authority and OSH Agency (OSHA) is: To ensure an environment that leads to safe and healthy workplaces throughout Trinidad and Tobago.
OSHA’S Vision: The Occupational Safety and Health Authority & Agency (OSHA) will be a highly respected and reliable organisation, achieving world-class safety and health standards, with committed professional staff, comprehensive enforcement, education and advisory programmes, all supported by edge tools and technologies, and by strategic partnerships.
OSHA’S Core Values: Integrity, Accountability, Professionalism, Commitment OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Table of Contents 1.0 CHAIRMAN’S SUMMARY............................................................................................................ 1 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 BRIEF HISTORY AND PROFILE OF THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY (OSH AUTHORITY) ............................................................................................... 2 STRATEGIC PLAN ......................................................................................................................... 6 FINANCIAL OPERATIONS ........................................................................................................... 7 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE............................................................................................... 8 PLANS AND ACTIVITIES ........................................................................................................... 10 CODES OF PRACTICE AND DRAFT REGULATIONS ............................................................ 11 List of Tables Table 1 Authority Membership..................................................................................................................... 3 Table 2 Key Figures 2008 - 2009.................................................................................................................. 7 Table 3 Plans and Activities
 ....................................................................................................................... 10 Table 4 PSIP Expenditure for the Period Oct. 2008 - Sept. 2009 ............................................................... 17 Table 5 Recurrent Expenditure for the Period Oct. 2008 - Sept. 2009 ....................................................... 18 Table 6 Activities Conducted by the OSH Agency .................................................................................... 20 Table 7 Accident Investigations as Carried Out by OSHA Unit ................................................................ 21 Table 8 Inspection / Audit Activities for the respective OSHA Units ........................................................ 22 Table 9 Lecture Activities for the Respective OSHA Units ....................................................................... 23 List of Appendices Organisational Structure ............................................................................................................................ 12 Proposed Orgnisational Structure ............................................................................................................... 14 Financial Statement..................................................................................................................................... 16 Activities of the OSH Agency
 ................................................................................................................... 19 Multi Annual Strategic Plan ....................................................................................................................... 24 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT 1.0 CHAIRMAN’S SUMMARY The budget year 2008 – 2009 provided the Occupational Safety and Health Authority and Agency the opportunity to address major issues of operation and to align itself to the objectives indentified in the Agency’s five year strategic plan 2008 – 2012, such as enforcement, partnerships, awareness raising etc., that are necessary for the enhancement of the working conditions and development of a safety culture in Trinidad and Tobago.
By undertaking activities in these areas the Agency played a considerable role in preventing accidents and ill health in the workplace.

It was the second year of extensive activities and the intension was to build on the progress made in the first year so that, at the end of the five year strategic plan the Agency would have made a considerable contribution to the creation of safe and healthy workplaces in Trinidad & Tobago.
More systematic monitoring of compliance levels and working conditions have continued since the last budget year.

For the Inspectorate Unit of the Agency, the main objective was to ensure duty holders complied with their legal obligations.

The Enforcement Policy, developed in 2008 indicates that duty holders who are willing to comply will be supported by information and guidance by the inspectors.
For uncooperative employers and in circumstances where situations of serious imminent danger exist, stronger enforcement instruments will be used.

The Agency abided by its enforcement policy during the period under review and issued 9 prohibition notices and 5 improvement notices.
1 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT 2.0 Brief History and Profile of the Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSH Authority) The Authority consists of a Chairman and sixteen (16) other Members.

The Minister of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise Development (“MLSMED”) appoints the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Authority.

Other members are appointed by relevant bodies and organisations.
Composition of the Authority  Chairman  Deputy Chairman  Executive Director  A representative of the Ministry responsible for occupational safety and health  A representative of the Ministry responsible for health  A representative of the Ministry responsible for energy industries  A representative of the body responsible for standards in Trinidad and Tobago  A representative of the Tobago House of Assembly  Nine other members appointed by the Minister: - - - two representing employees two representing employers five on the advice of the Medical Board of Trinidad and Tobago, the Board of Engineering and organizations representing women’s affairs.
By Cabinet Minute No.

1739 of July 13, 2006, Cabinet agreed to the appointment of persons to the OSH Authority as in accordance with the provisions of Section 65 of the OSH Act.

Seventeen persons were appointed for a period of three years.

In July 2009, the term of appointment came to an end and the OSH Agency was left without an OSH Authority until October 2010.
2 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AUTHORITY MEMBERSHIP Table 1 Authority Membership No.

Name Representative Position Date of Appointment Date of Expiration Remarks 1.

Arlene Chow Chairman October 13, 2006 October 12, 2009 Chairman 2.

Wayne Bertrand Chairman January 18, 2007 January 17, 2010 Resigned with immediate effect from October 13, 2006 Cabinet Minute No.

64 of January 2007 3.

Finbar McEachnie 4.


Ryan Ramjit Deputy Chairman Vice Chairman October 13, 2006 October 12, 2009 Vice Chairman August 12, 2008 August 12, 2011 Resigned November 30, 2007 Cabinet Minute No.

1665 of June 20, 2008 MLSMED 5.

Devnath MLSMED Member Roopnarine October 13, 2006 October 12, 2009 Replaced August 2008 6.

Brahma MLSMED Member Beharrysingh August 12, 2008 August 12, 2011 Cabinet Minute No.

1665 of June 20, 2008 7.


Dr. Rohit Doon Chief Medical Member Officer October 13, 2006 October 12, 2009 Ministry of Health Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs 8.

Ian Ramdahin MOEEA Member October 13, 2006 October 12, 2009 3 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT No.

Name Representative Position Date of Appointment Date of Expiration Remarks 9.

Prem Nandlal TTBS Member 10.


Deryck Omar TTBS Member TTBS October 13, 2006 October 12, 2009 August 12, 2008 August 12, 2011 Resigned November 30, 2007 Cabinet Minute No.

1665 of June 20, 2008 11.

Gayatri Badri Maharaj EMA Member August 12, 2008 August 12, 2011 Resigned August 25, 2008 EMA Employers’ Representatives 12.

Ryan Ramjit South Chamber of Industry and Commerce Member October 13, 2006 October 12, 2009 Appointed as Deputy 13.

Johnson TTMA Member Alexander 14.


Vincent Cabrera October 13, 2006 August 12, 2008 October 12, 2009 August 12, 2011 Resigned October 27,2010 15.

Michael Annisette National Trade Union Centre of Federated Workers Employees’ Representatives Member October 13, 2006 October 12, 2009 Replaced, August 2008 16.

Chandrasain OWTU Member Ramsingh October 13, 2006 October 12, 2009 17.

Dr. Neil Adrian Singh Medical Board of T&T Member October 13, 2006 October 12, 2009 General purpose 18.
Dr. Terrence Seemungal Medical Board of T&T Member October 29, 2010 October 28, 2013 Resigned December 2010 19.

Lennox S.C. Findlay Safety Council of T&T Member October 13, 2006 October 12, 2009 4 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT No.

Name Representative Position Date of Appointment Date of Expiration Remarks 20.

Alfred Phillips Board of Engineering Member October 13, 2006 October 12, 2009 21.
Carol Noel The Network of NGO of T&T for the Advancement of Women Member October 13, 2006 October 12, 2009 22.

Gladstone Solomon THA Member October 13, 2006 October 12, 2009 5 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT 3.0 STRATEGIC PLAN The period 2007 – 2008 provided the Occupational Safety and Health Agency the opportunity to address the major issues identified in the Operational Plan 2008, as a part of the five year strategic plan 2008 – 2012.
The Multi-Annual Strategic Plan identifies ten (10) strategic activities and initiatives, among others, for achieving its vision and mission as follows: i) ii) Establishment of a National OSH Policy Balancing compliance techniques iii) Targeting Higher Risk/Impact Groups iv) Negotiating and forming strategic relationships v) Building a cadre of OSH Professionals vi) Implementation of a supportive infrastructure vii) Establishment of comprehensive practices viii) Building public awareness ix) Collection of Quality Information x) Managing the OSH Agency’s Brand.
APPENDIX 5 – OSHA’ S M ulti Annual Strategic Plan (2008-2012) 6 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Table 2 Key Figures 2008 - 2009 Some key figures for 2008/2009 HUMAN RESOURCES Total Staff October 1, 2008 Inspectors October 1, 2008 Total Staff October 1, 2009 Inspectors October 1, 2009 Inspections carried out Accident Investigations completed Complaints investigated Promotional lectures provided Recommendation Letters Improvement Notices Prohibitions Prosecutions filed Prosecutions in pipeline Memoranda of Understanding developed Memoranda of Understanding signed Recurrent Budget % spent of recurrent PSIP budget % spent of PSIP budget 67 38 58 37 2393 618 301 159 475 5 9 0 8 13 0 21,567,748.00 70.69% 2,500,000.00 89.93% 4.0 FINANCIAL OPERATIONS Financial Year 2008/2009 The Finance Unit received releases of funds to incur Recurrent and PSIP expenditure in the sums of $912,900.00 and $0.00 respectively, for the month of September, 2009.
The Agency therefore operated within the budgetary constraints of these releases.

The Authority/Agency requested additional transfers from the Ministry of Labour.

These were needed to pay its liabilities.

7 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT A Business Plan was submitted to the Research and Planning Department of the Ministry of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise Development which gave an overview of the PSIP activities of the Agency for the new financial year.
5.0 ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE Through technical co-operation with the International Labour Organization (ILO) Sub Regional Office for the Caribbean and the Ministry of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise Development, an international consultant on Occupational Safety and Health was engaged to undertake an organisational review of the OSH Agency.

The consultant highlighted several areas for further development and improvements in the functioning of the Agency and Authority.
Some of the key areas identified include:         The urgent completion of Regulations and Approved Codes of Practice; Enforcement of actions for breaches of legislation; Lack of safety awareness in Small and Micro Enterprises; The lack of coverage of occupational health and non-existence of an Occupational Health Unit in the Ministry of Health; The need for urgent recruitment of Medical Inspectors to staff the OSH Agency; Establishment of a Research and Development Unit; Establishment of an Outreach Unit; Expansion of the Legal Unit.
A new organisational structure was submitted for Cabinet’s approval Appendix 2.

In this regard, the Minister of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise Development proposed that the OSH Agency be restructured to reflect the changes in the proposed organisational structure.
Following are the proposed changes:  The creation of three (3) positions of Deputy Directors to treat separately with technical, legal and administrative issues, that is, Deputy Director, Technical, Deputy Director, Legal and Deputy Director, Administration; 8 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT  The expansion of the Legal Unit and the creation of a Corporate Secretariat Unit.
This will result in a more focused effort on legislative issues and therefore more active enforcement of the OSH legislation;  Establishment of a Research and Development Unit which will assist the keeping the Agency abreast with current and emerging OSH trends as it pertains to, maintaining its strategic focus and charting its way forward.
The Unit will also bring to bear current research that will assist in policy development; and  establishment of an Outreach Unit whose key responsibility will be to build and maintain an OSH culture in Trinidad and Tobago among others; Further, Cabinet was advised that given the importance of the OSH Agency to the country’s development it was proposed that five (5) persons be recruited as Executive Cadets to understudy the Executive Director, the three (3) Deputy Directors and the Chief Inspector.
Given the possibility of a high rate of turnover and its consequences for the key management positions this was deemed as an important mitigating Additionally, to ensure institutional strengthening in terms of local capacity development and sustainability of the OSH Agency, and that the country benefit from the expertise and experience of the senior executives, persons from among these cadets and the staff of the OSH Agency will be identified to fill the positions after the contracts of the Executive Director, the three (3) Deputy Directors and the Chief Inspector come to an end.
9 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT 6.0 PLANS AND ACTIVITIES Table 3 Plans and Activities ACTIVITIES Establishment of the National OSH Policy Balancing of compliance techniques Targeting Higher Risk/ Impact Groups Negotiating Strategic Relationships Build a Cadre of OS&H Professionals Implement Supportive Infrastructure Establish Comprehensive Practices Build Public Awareness Collect Quality Information Manage OSHA’s Brand A first National OSH profile was drafted OSHA Communication strategy was drafted OSHA’s Enforcement Policy was developed and inspectors were trained The future Outreach Unit function description and job descriptions were drafted Inspection W ork Plan 2008/09 was developed, targeting high-risk/high impact sectors and known offenders as priority 13 Draft Memoranda of Understanding with other (regulatory) organisations were developed A brainstorming with educational and accreditation organisations (National Training Agency, Accreditation Council) was organized to build a system and programmes of certified OS&H training and development, Explicit manpower forecasts and future organisational structure was drafted Leadership and teambuilding training prepared An Induction Training was developed and carried out Establishment OSHA’s satellite office in San Fernando; 1 inspector permanently located in Tobago Functional Design Management Information System (MIS) was designed Monitoring equipment was purchased Inspector' handbook and protocols developed Financial structure incl.
accounting and purchasing policy, incl.
delegation and authorisation structure established 8 Regulations and Codes of Practice were drafted according to an agreed priority schedule LOLER Regulations were developed and consultations were carried out Safety Awards 2009 were presented and Safety Week 2009 activities took place Sensitisation (awareness raising) program was developed & approved by Cabinet OSHA took part in PR programs, TV spots, campaigns, events, seminars, exhibitions; TTOSHA website was updated and maintained Contacts with NIB and with UTT/OSHE, UWI and data providers were initiated New OSHA logo adopted; Shirts with logo distributed to staff; Code of ethics developed for Inspectors 10 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT 7.0 CODES OF PRACTICE AND DRAFT REGULATIONS Three public consultations were held on the LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations).
These were held in Scarborough, San Fernando and Macoya.

Inspectors and the Legal Unit were heavily involved in the preparation and review of Regulations and Codes of practice, (including LOLER) to be established pursuant to the OSH Act.
Draft Regulations and Codes of Practice were developed for the consultation process in several areas:  Pressure Systems Regulations,  Electricity Regulations  Safety Committees and Safety Representatives Regulations  Construction Regulations  Welfare Regulations  Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations  Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations Ongoing meetings were held with the Trinidad & Tobago Bureau of Standards to develop Standards, Regulations and Codes of Practice.
11 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Appendix 1 ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE 12 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AGENCY TRANSITIONAL ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Drs.

Paul Huijzendveld Exec.

Assistant Senior Legal Advisor/ Corporate Secretary Legal Research Officer Asst.

Corp. Secretary PHASE!

ORG 2C08 September 30 CORPORATE SERVICES Deputy Director Exec.
Asa!Dnt Supervisor, Administr ative Services Finance Coordinator Cocnm.

Specialist HR Coocdinator Cocnm.
Assistant Driver/Messenger (2) Handyman D Positions filled I Positions vacant D Positions Advertised Total Manpower- 61 13 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Appendix 2 PROPOSED ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE 14 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT lfl lI fL 15 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Appendix 3 FINANCIAL STATEMENT Statement of Releases received and Expenditure incurred For the Year ended September 2009 16 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Table 4 PSIP Expenditure for the Period Oct. 2008- Sept. 2009 A National market suNey on OSH 1.4.2 awareness and image 8 2.3 Development, execution and evaluation of a Small medium sized and micro OSH outreach Development of a national H training and advisory qualification framework c 4.2.3 $270,000 $86,318 $175,000 $62,775 $50,000 D Consultation and development of NEW National OSH Regulations $503,075 $3,075 Development and execution of a E 8.2 multi stakeholder awareness $275,000 $232,954 cam n ra Development and execution of an F 8.4 OSH education $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $183,682 $112,225 $50,000 $500,000 $42,046 $0 10.2 H NEW I 8 J 9 $250,000 $227,471 $0 $22,529 Conduct national workplace noise su Health & Safety week and awards $421,925 $419,770 Salary $1,227,414 $880,328 $250,000 $161 ,065 $0 $97,290 0 $2,155 $347,086 $88,935 $(97,290) $0 $0 $0 $0 17 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE
 REPORT Table 5 Recurrent Expenditure for the Period Oct. 2008- Sept. 2009 SUB HEAD:01-PERSONNEL EXPENDITURE ITEM: 004 OSHA TOTAL PERSONNEL EXPENDITURE SUB HEAD:02-GOODS & SERVICES ITEM: 004 OSHA 04 Electricity 05 Telephones $400,000 $124,332 $727,200 $530,844 06 Water and Sewerage Authority $124,000 08 Rent: Accommodation $1,500,000 $275,668 $196,356 $124,000 $1,500,000 09 Rent: Equipment & Vehicles $237,500 $194,722 $4,407 $38,371 10 Office Stat & Supplies $380,000 $279,577 $50 $100,373 11 Books & Periodicals
 12 Materials & Supplies $180,000 $1,980 $178,020 $237,500 $125,917 $8,110 $103,473 13 Maintenance of Vehicles $84,600 $6,420 $9,085 $ 69,095 15 Rep & Maint of Equipment $76,000 $15,479 $26 $60,495 16 Contract Employment $12,103,200 $11,806,540 $296,660 17 Training Repairs and Maintenance of 21 Buildings 22 Short Term Employment $5,560 $640,000 $80,730 $450,000 $418,483 $26,559 $4,958 $559,270 $5,560 18 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Appendix 4 ACTIVITIES OF OSH AGENCY 19 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Table 6 Activities Conducted by the OSH Agency Ac t i v i t i e s c o n d u c t e d by t h e O SH Ag e n c y Pe ri o d Ac t i v i t y Table 4: Accident investigations as carried out by OSHA Units s n o i t a g i t s e v n I t n e d c c A i 45 85 49 108 56 56 20 88 57 66 74 65 s n o i t c e p s n I s t i d u A 191 271 179 230 204 269 131 204 163 180 200 180 d e t c u d n o C s e r u t c e L 18 15 1 4 8 16 34 9 18 11 9 17 s w e i v e R A E I 0 1 1 3 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 August 2009 September 2009 s n o i t a g i t s e v n I i l t n a p m o C 27 45 38 39 5 16 13 21 18 20 29 31 s g n i t e e M 82 174 141 165 180 157 133 112 96 132 117 135 369 594 413 551 457 517 334 438 358 415 437 431 yearly total for
 activity 769 2402 160 11 302 1624 46 5314 Ac t i v i t i e s c o n d u c t e d by t h e O SH Ag e n c y: G ra n d T o t a l = 5 3 1 4 20 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Table 7 Accident Investigations as Carried Out by OSHA Unit OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
17 65 309 83 93 80 111 769 21 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Table Slnspection I Audit Activities for the respective OSHA Units OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Table 9 lecture Activities for the Respective OSHA Units OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY AND AGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Appendix 5 STRATEGIC PLAN 24