The Virgin Islands (VI) Department of Human Resources observed World Day of Health and Safety in the Workplace with a special virtual panel on April 30, 2024, for the day which was spearheaded by the International Labour Organization (ILO). Photo: Facebook/File

Deputy Director of the Department of Human Resources, Ms Kaisa Penn said, 'As an organisation, the health and safety of public officers is our number one priority'. Photo: GIS/File

The day signifies the need to ensure workplaces consistently meet international standards for the health and safety of employees, especially those who work in fields that may incur risk.

Climate Change & Workplace Safety 

This year, World Day of Health and Safety was observed under the theme, “Climate Change and the Workplace, Building Resilience” and was recognised by the virtual panel discussion in the Virgin Islands.

Deputy Director of the Department of Human Resources, Ms Kaisa Penn said, “As an organisation, the health and safety of public officers is our number one priority. We have a collective responsibility to ensure that the Public Service is working in safe and productive environments, and we remain committed to this.”

The panel included Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ronald E. Georges; Health and Safety Coordinator in the Department of Human Resources, Ms Rhonexie Anderson; Chief Environmental Health Officer, Mr Lionel E. Michael; and Prepardness and Planning Manager in the Department of Disaster Management, Ms Michel Ambrose.

Others included Senior Employee Assistance Programme Counsellor, Mr Cedric Thomas and Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Ms Lynda Varlack.

Effects of climate change on workplace

During the discussion, panellists gave input on topics relating to climate change and its impact on today’s workplaces. Health and Safety Coordinator, Ms Rhonexie Anderson reminded public officers that “safety is rooted in collaboration.”

“The world is rapidly evolving, and climate change is very real. The effects of this on the way we work and the environments we work in are increasing, and we must be ready to respond and adapt as necessary. Observances and discussions like these are vital as we continue to transform the way we work”, Ms Anderson added.

Public officers also received information on the various impacts of climate change on the workplace, managing risks to foster a healthy work environment and the effects of climate change on mental health during the discussion.