Workers urged to adhere to safety rules

Akrade (E/R), May 6, GNA - Mrs Bashiratu Kamal, Programme Officer at the General Agricultural Workers Union of the Trade Union Congress, has urged workers of the Volta River Estates Limited (VREL) to adhere to safety precautions.

She said it behooves all employers to ensure that workers comply with all safety procedures to enhance productivity and to protect them from any risky activities.

Mrs Kamal gave the advice at the commemoration of the workers memorial day at Akrade in the Eastern Region on the theme: 'Safety First.'

Every year on April 28, the unions of the American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organisations observe Workers Memorial Day to remember those who have suffered and died on the job and to renew efforts for safe workplaces.

Mrs Kamal expressed concern about the inability of some employers to develop clear-cut workplace safety policies.

She said giving employees standard operating procedures allowed workers to communicate more effectively and know exactly how to perform certain tasks.

Mrs Kamal said the Union is embarking on an educational drive to remind workers on the need to ensure safety at work places and would continue to institute measures to protect workers.

She said the Union as part of its precautionary measures takes records of accidents on the farm for proper discussions and develops ways of addressing them in future.

Mrs Kamal urged the workers to observe rules for carrying and lifting loads and if possible they should only lift loads, which do not require the help of anybody and position themselves appropriately before carrying a load.

She also advised the workers not to overstress themselves and stop to rest when carrying a heavy load especially covering a long distance.

Mrs Kamal cautioned to workers who use agrochemicals on the farm not to smell or taste those chemicals, never use them without proper safety equipment and ensure that such materials are not sprayed while children around.

Mr Alex Yeboah-Afari, Human Resource Manager of VREL, said the company is a banana farm, which exports 85 per cent of its fruit to Europe through AgroFair, a fairtrade fruit company owned by banana, mango and pineapple growers.

He said the company could do better in terms of pricing compared to the multinational companies and called for technical expertise to strengthen its marketing drive.

Mr Yeboah-Afari said Workers Memorial Day is significant because enforcing safety policies strengthens productivity and decreases the number of worker absence due to injuries.

He said safety programmes and policies reduce costs associated with medical attention, insurance policies, workers' compensation, injury lawsuits and other unforeseen situations.

GNA