The government has announced a new regulation mandating that any workplace with more than 75 employees must appoint a dedicated health and safety officer. The regulation, developed under the recently enacted Workplace Safety and Health Act, aims to ensure a safer work environment across the country.
The Labour Relations Authority (LRA) will oversee the enforcement of this regulation, which outlines the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders in promoting workplace safety. The new rule requires employers to implement safety and health arrangements, with the number of officers needed increasing based on the size of the workforce.
According to the regulation, workplaces with 75 to 150 employees must appoint one health and safety officer, while those with 151 to 300 employees will need two. For workplaces employing between 301 and 500 staff, three officers are required, and workplaces with 501 to 1,000 employees must have four officers. Organisations with over 1,001 employees are required to appoint five health and safety officers.
Health and safety officers will be responsible for educating employees on workplace safety regulations, conducting training programmes, performing regular safety assessments, and ensuring the proper implementation of safety protocols. Their duties also include identifying potential health risks and taking measures to prevent hazards in the workplace.
