Two out of six areas that the multi-disciplinary inspection teams will be looking at when they hit the streets on Monday October 1, is occupational safety and health at workplaces, and food safety.
A healthy workplace is one in which workers and managers collaborate to use a continual improvement process to protect and promote the health, safety and wellbeing of workers, and the sustainability of the workplace.
The most successful and competitive companies are those that have the best health and safety records, and the most physically and mentally healthy and satisfied workers.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that two million women and men die each year as a result of occupational accidents and work-related illnesses.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 160 million new cases of work-related illnesses occur every year, and stipulates that workplace conditions account for over a third of back pain, 16 per cent of hearing loss, nearly 10 per cent of lung cancer; and that eight per cent of the burden of depression can be attributed to workplace risk.
Food safety is a public health priority. Millions of people every year fall ill, and many die as a result of eating unsafe food. Serious outbreaks of foodborne disease have been documented on every continent in the past decade, and in many countries rates of illnesses are increasing significantly.
It is important for food establishments that provide such services to the public and visitors, to practice safe food preparation. Each individual should know how to ensure safe food handling practices and prevent foodborne diseases.
The five keys to safer food are: keep clean; separate raw and cooked; cook thoroughly; keep food at safe temperatures; and use safe water and raw materials.
The six government entities that will carry out inspections are, Inspectorate of Public Health, Social Development, Labour and Food Safety, Tax Department, Fire Department, VROMI Building Safety & Environment and TEVZT Inspections.
Inspections will continue on a regular basis. The joint multi-disciplinary team is looking forward towards the full cooperation of the business community and is requesting that businesses have all the required permits and other administrative documentation on hand to present to officials when they visit their establishment.