THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AGENCY World Day for Safety and - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AGENCY

World Day for Safety and Health at Work Stop the Pandemic: Safety and Health can save lives

Stop the Pandemic: Safety and Health Saves Lives COVID-19 Response Plan

• 1. Background – Trinidad & Tobago
• 2. OSHA’s Approach
• 3. Challenges
• 4. Way Forward

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Stop the Pandemic: Safety and Health Saves Lives

BACKGROUND – TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

• January 2020 T&T started to impose travel restrictions in

response to COVID-19

• 12 March 2020 T&T reported its 1st case of COVID-19
• 16 March 2020 Government close schools
• 29 March 2020 Government imposes restrictions on movement

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Stop the Pandemic: Safety and Health Saves Lives BACKGROUND – TRINIDAD & TOBAGO cont’d

• 16 March 2020 OSHA initiated limited control measures
• 29 March 2020 OSHA expands to full remote work strategy

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Stop the Pandemic: Safety and Health Saves Lives OSHA’S APPROACH – EMERGENCY PROTOCOLS

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Crisis Communication Plan Detailing how the Agency Communications with its internal and external publics Business Continuity Plan Detailing the operational guidelines for the Agency to ensure that work of the Agency is supported

Stop the Pandemic: Safety and Health Saves Lives

OSHA’S APPROACH - OBJECTIVES

• 1. To keep staff informed of all developments regarding the

COVID-19 pandemic and the operations of the Agency

• 2. To provide to all external stakeholders recent developments and

advice approved by the Agency

• 3. To ensure business continuity of the core functions of the

Agency during the management of the COVID-19 crisis

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Stop the Pandemic: Safety and Health Saves Lives

OSHA’S APPROACH – OBJECTIVE 1 Communicating with Staff

• Staff is prioritised as the most valuable resource of the Agency
• Staff information needs detailed e.g. HR policies; information on

the virus; operational arrangements

• Personal & Emergency contact updated e.g. telephone numbers,

private email addresses etc.

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Stop the Pandemic: Safety and Health Saves Lives

OSHA’S APPROACH – OBJECTIVE 2 External Stakeholders

• External stakeholders prioritised and essential contact information

updated

• Communication needs of stakeholders assessed e.g. what information is

relevant for the public; employers; media etc.

• Development of guidance using information from authorities (e.g. MoH)

and publishing using various media e.g. a vlog series on social media

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Stop the Pandemic: Safety and Health Saves Lives

OSHA’S APPROACH – OBJECTIVE 3 Continuity of Core Functions

• Identification of core functions – Administration; Enforcement; and Public

Education

• Needs Analysis – determine what resources were needed to support core

functions

• Provision of resources e.g. technical solutions for telephone contact and

information sharing; online resources to share information and receive complaints; regulate hours of operation etc.

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Stop the Pandemic: Safety and Health Saves Lives CHALLENGES

• Agency completed a Risk Assessment and Needs Analysis:
• Internal and External Communication
• Enforcement Activities
• Network Connectivity
• Access to physical resources

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Stop the Pandemic: Safety and Health Saves Lives

WAY FORWARD

• OSHA focused on providing services in three phases:
• Managing the through Pandemic
• Recovery
• Post-Pandemic
• Prioritising on Public Education through training and provision
• f guidance and Enforcement
• Emphasis to be placed on occupational health and hygiene

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Stop the Pandemic: Safety and Health Saves Lives WAY FORWARD

• Emphasis to be placed on high risk sectors which include:
• Protective Services
• Health Sector
• Energy Sector and related industries
• Retail Services (e.g. supermarkets, markets etc.)
• Education Sector

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Stop the Pandemic: Safety and Health Saves Lives THANK YOU FOR LISTENING

THE END

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