The management and staff of the National Insurance Services (NIS) celebrated 24 years of existence last week with the launch of their very own Occupational Safety and Health Policy and Procedure Guidelines.{{more}}

The launch of the document took place on Tuesday, January 5, at the NIS Conference Room at their headquarters at Upper Bay Street.

In outlining the importance of documents such as the one launched, Executive Director of the NIS Reginald Thomas said that policies and guidelines in business places and institutions could greatly reduce the number of injuries on jobs, time lost due to these injuries and the amount paid out in benefits.

Thomas said that last year alone over $250,000 in injury claims were paid and 157 persons were reported injured at work.

Minister for Labour Rene Baptiste, giving the feature address at the launch, called for more emphasis to be placed on health and safety at the workplace.

The Minister urged all businesses to ensure that the policy becomes a part of their agenda and that the adoption of the policy should leave a positive impact.

She urged that there be revision and updating of policies and guidelines, along with training and re-training of personnel.

Addresses were also delivered by trade union representative Joy Matthews and Labour Commissioner Patrice Roberts- Samuel.

A monologue on the importance of the use of safety gear and following policies and procedures was done by NIS employee Winston Edwards.

The document, which was drafted by Deputy Executive Director Mineva Glasgow, seeks to increase the safety and health of all classes of employees; it states the measures which should be in place and gives guidelines as to the conduct of persons in the workplace.

Glasgow indicated that the document was prepared with the intent of creating a safe and healthy work environment for the staff of the NIS and serves to encourage other institutions in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to provide Occupational and Safety guidelines.