By ROSI DOVIVERATA
Fiji recorded a worker’s compensation payout of $4.6 million over the past 15 years. This is for 3,646 injury cases. During the same period, a total of 274 death cases received a compensation payout of $6.4million.
Director Occupational Health and Safety and Workmen’s Compensation, Isimeli Tuivaga said Fiji is lucky that it is not heavily industrialised.
“However having said that, it does not take away risks associated with hazard in the workplace.,” he said.
“We have not reached the alarming stage just as yet, however we need to put in strategies and policies to ensure that major risks are contained to a minimal level, because we can not eradicate them totally,” Mr Tuivaga said.
Occupational disease
Speaking during the opening of the Tripartite Occupational Disease Workshop held at the Holiday Inn Suva, he said occupational disease is a problem that is limiting productivity in the workplace.
It’s a disease contracted as a result of an exposure to risk factors arising from work. When a disease is clinically diagnosed and a causal link is established, the disease is then recognized as occupational.
Over the past nine years Fiji has only recorded 8 cases of occupational disease. They have been compensated about $100,000.
Labour stand
According to the International Labour Organisation, occupational diseases cause huge suffering and loss in the world of work.
“Yet occupational or work related diseases remain largely invisible in comparison to industrial accidents, even though they kill six times as many people each year.
“Furthermore, the nature of occupational disease is altering rapidly: technological and social changes, along with global economic conditions, are aggravating existing health hazards and creating new ones.”
Occupational physician
Dr Rauni Tikoinayau is the only qualified occupational physician in the country. Working under the Department of Occupational Health and Safety, he also trains doctors and other OHS officials to become assessors.
With the growing number of companies and industries the task is enormous.
On-going workshops are conducted within the department, other government ministries and companies to create awareness on OHS issues.
Minister for Labour, Industrial Relations & Employment, Mr Jone Usamate will be chief guest at the 2013 World OHS Day Celebration. It will be held today at the Civic Centre Upper Auditorium.
Isimeli Tuivaga during the Occupational Disease workshop at Holiday Inn in Suva. Photo: RAMA