Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/842553
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 28 JUNE 2017 News 6 Workplace deaths up over last year, injuries showing consistent decline YANNICK PACE WORKRELATED injuries have been on the decline for a considerable period of time, however a higher number of deaths was registered in 2016 when compared to the pre- vious year, according to EU affairs and equality minister Helena Dalli. Speaking yesterday during a morning session of Parlia- ment which was debating budgetary estimates for the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) for 2017, Dalli said there had been seven workplace deaths in 2016. Each case, the minister said, was the subject of a magiste- rial inquiry, as well as an in- vestigation by the authority. Moreover, she said that de- spite the increase, the number of workplace deaths in Malta remained comparatively low. Four of the registered deaths were in the construction in- dustry, one was related to port activities and the other two were machinery-related deaths. Turning to injuries, Dalli said that workplace injury statistics in Malta were based on requests for governmen- tal assistance, which she said made the data comprehensive since this included self-em- ployed individuals. She added that whereas many countries only recorded instances where workers were away from work for more than four days, local statis- tics included any instances of time being taken off work due to a work-related injury. "Since we have been col- lecting data in the same way for many years, it allows for valid interpretations," Dalli explained. The storage and transport sectors, the minister said, showed an increase in the number of registered injuries, while the construction sec- tor showed a decrease for the third year running. She added that while it may be premature to say so, this was partly due to increased efforts by the OHSA to re- duce injuries in the sector. Dalli also pointed out that while there were workplace dangers that were well- known, such as those related to construction sites, there were new conditions and realities where work could affect mental health for ex- ample, due to high levels of stress. "When we look at occupa- tional health and safety, we think of traditional accidents, however in reality there are many other risks at the work- place and the more life be- comes fast-paced, the more stress increases," Dalli said. Opposition MP Therese Comodini Cachia echoed Dalli in calling for increased awareness on mental health risks associated with the workplace. She pointed out that in 2016, 30 notifications of asbestos removals had been received, only for the authority to have issued guidelines for asbestos removal in April this year. She called on the Prime Minister not to appoint par- liamentary secretary Deo De- battista as OHSA chairman, given that he was now a par- liamentary secretary. She insisted that while De- battista had done his best in executing his role, it was im- perative that someone be ap- pointed who was not an MP and who was independent and impartial. Debattista, on his part, said that evaluators sent by the European Commission, that had prepared a report on the authority's functioning, had found it to be performing well, despite its small size and relative lack of resources. He said the report would spur the authority to do more to achieve even better results. Debattista emphasised the need for more resources to be made available to the OHSA, as well as the importance of increased cooperation with different agencies and consti- tuted bodies in furthering the OHSA's role. Contrary to popular belief, the construction industry was not the sector with most registered injuries Property company wants stables in Birguma LANDMARK Properties Lim- ited is seeking a permit for the construction of four stables, a tack room, a bedding room, a fodder room and a manure clamp in a rural area in Birgu- ma in Naxxar. A decision is expected today. The proposal also includes the creation of a paddock area and the erection of a timber fence delineating the access-way from the existing rural road to the proposed structures. The site proposed for devel- opment is located outside the development zone, at Ta' Sqaq il-Hofra, at Birguma, limits of Naxxar. The site is located in area characterised by agricul- tural land, which is relatively open and unspoilt. It is located within a desig- nated Agricultural Area and a buffer zone to a Site of Scien- tific Importance. While the Planning Directo- rate is calling for the approval of this development, the Envi- ronment and Resources Au- thority is calling on the Plan- ning Authority to refuse the application due to the take up of ODZ land. ERA has also expressed con- cerns with regard "to possible future pressures for the con- versions and change of use of these structures to other uses and additional development, which are not acceptable with- in the context". The structures cover a foot- print of approximately 96 square metres, have a maxi- mum height of 3.46 metres, and are proposed to be constructed in timber. But the case officer recom- mending approval insisted that the new stables are enclosed within a site already screened by existing third party walls and therefore the development will not create "any additional visual impact to the area in question". In its first meeting to delib- erate on the development, the Environment Planning Com- mission asked the architect to submit veterinary certification with regards to horse owner- ship. The applicants were asked to revise their plans to ensure that all structures on the site are constructed in timber.