STCCI trains people on occupational health, safety

The Sekondi-Takoradi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (STCCI) in partnership with the Australian High Commission, has organized a 10-day training programme on occupational health and safety for 35 young graduate in the Metropolis.

The Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre (MISHC) of the University of Queensland in Australia, was the consultant of the training, aimed at equipping the graduates with the right knowledge, skills and tools.

Mr. Vincent Annan, Chief Executive of the STCCI, said graduates of the programme would be assigned to SMEs member-firms of the Chamber and other companies.

The Health, Safety and Environment coaches have the responsibility of providing technical advice and support to guide them develop and establish safety management systems as required of industry.

“This is part of STCCI’s business development programs and interventions to support local businesses to develop the requisite capacities especially in the areas of Health, Safety and quality so as to enable them participate meaningfully in the extractive industry supply chain”, he added.

Mr. Annan said local companies in the region found it difficult to participate in the supply chain servicing large companies because they lacked the requisite standards for health and safety management systems.

He said having an effective and proactive health and safety (HS) management system, was now a pre-requisite for providing services in Oil, Gas, Mining and Energy sectors adding, “this issue particularly affects Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), as they do not have the resources or skills to develop and implement effective HSE management systems.”