Workplaces employing 20 or more workers are required by law to register their operations and establish a health and safety committee every year by March 31st.
Mohammed Shiraz, Manager Director Accreditation for Chemicals and Hygiene at the Ministry of Employment, says the requirement is a key part of ensuring safer working environments across the country.
Shiraz says each workplace must form a committee consisting of at least six members, including both employer and employee representatives, to oversee occupational health and safety matters.
To support compliance, the ministry provides structured training programmes for committee members.
He says this includes an intensive three-day course designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to manage workplace safety effectively.
Shiraz says the training has been in place since 1997, when the relevant regulations were introduced, and remains a core part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to promote workplace safety and awareness.
He adds that the training is offered on a user-pays basis, with other accredited institutions such as Fiji National University and University of the South Pacific, along with external consultants, also delivering similar programmes.
In addition, Shiraz says the ministry provides further training under Models 3 and 4, which focus on general workplace condition regulations.
He says these two-day sessions are aimed at improving workers’ understanding of how to maintain safe and compliant workplace environments.
The training will be held at the Xavier College Auditorium in Ba from 8.15am to 2.10pm, followed by a session at the Suva Civic Centre from 8am to 3pm.
