By Mr. Hayden McKenna, University Writer/Editor & Ms. Simone Augustus, Corporate Communications Officer
The University of the Southern Caribbean (USC) marked its first observance of World Day for Safety at the Workplace on April 29, 2024, following the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) global initiative established in 2003. This day, traditionally observed on April 28, emphasizes the prevention of workplace accidents and diseases and leverages the ILO’s strengths in tripartism and social dialogue.
USC’s Occupational Health and Safety Unit, in collaboration with the Department of Security Services, organized this inaugural event, which is set to become an annual fixture. This observance aligns USC with national and regional efforts to ensure health, safety, and security on campus and during off-campus activities such as Blitz, Olympiad, and concert tours.
In a conversation with Mrs. Jillene John-Harris, Assistant Director of Human Resources responsible for Labour Relations and Benefits, and overseer of the Occupational Safety and Health Unit, she confirmed this was USC’s first celebration of World Day for Safety and Health at Work. The idea originated from a departmental meeting where Mrs. Ellin Sorzano-John highlighted the ILO’s observance on April 28, 2024, sparking the initiative for USC’s event.
While the main events, including a campus march, opening ceremony, and a building evacuation challenge, were held on the Main Campus, efforts were made to involve the Extension Campuses and Satellite Sites. Directors of these sites participated in a special training session facilitated by Health and Safety Practitioner Mr. Ronald Hunte and USC’s Director of Security, Mr. Stevenson Byng. Although a debating competition on Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) issues was planned for students across all USC sites, it was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.
Mrs. John-Harris outlined the primary goal of the Health and Safety Unit: to foster a culture of health, safety, and security at USC and to convey that these elements start with individual responsibility. “Health, safety, and security is everybody’s business,” she emphasized.
Key highlights of the day included:
- The enthusiastic participation of children from the Maracas Seventh-day Adventist Primary School (MSDA) and CUC Secondary School in the campus march and opening ceremony.
- An insightful address by Mr. Franz Brisbane, Chief Inspector of the Occupational Safety and Health Authority and Agency of Trinidad and Tobago, who served as the featured speaker.
- A competitive and educational placard competition.
- Valuable information shared during the training sessions.
Representatives from Caribbean Health Foods Limited, an on-campus entity, also took part in the formal opening ceremony.
Reflecting on the event’s success, Mrs. John-Harris noted, “In my view, the day was successful. It met our main objective of promoting the culture of health, safety, and security on the campus.” Looking ahead, she expressed plans for future observances to include a wider range of stakeholders and more hands-on activities, aiming to deepen the integration of health and safety culture across all USC sites in the Caribbean.
As USC moves forward, the commitment to promoting a safe and healthy work environment remains a top priority, ensuring the well-being of all members of the university community.
