As Barbados joins the international community in observing World Day for Safety and Health at Work on Tuesday, April 28, the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and the Third Sector is encouraging employers and employees to take a more holistic approach to workplace safety.
Senior Safety and Health Officer, Avril Mayers, explained that this year’s theme, “Let us Ensure a Safe and Healthy Psychosocial Working Environment”, reflects a growing recognition that safety extends beyond physical conditions to include mental, emotional, and social wellbeing.
“World Day for Safety and Health at Work gives businesses an opportunity to stop and reflect on their workplace,” Ms. Mayers said. “Traditionally, we focus on the physical aspects such as machine guards, fire safety, and equipment maintenance. However, we must remember that it is a whole person coming to work each day.”
She noted that the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including loss, financial strain, and emotional stress, continue to impact workers. These factors, she continued, can influence concentration, productivity, and overall workplace safety.
“If a person is unable to focus because of what they are experiencing personally, that can lead to accidents. Likewise, unmanaged health conditions or stress can result in absenteeism or even incidents on the job,” she explained.
The Senior Safety and Health Officer also pointed to the concept of “presenteeism”, where employees are physically present but not fully engaged.
“You may have workers who are present but not giving their best due to issues such as workplace bullying or personal stress. This affects productivity and the overall advancement of the organisation,” she said.
Ms. Mayers shared that psychosocial wellbeing is influenced by multiple factors. These include financial pressures, cultural and spiritual needs, and maintaining work-life balance. She noted that in some cases, employees may overextend themselves by working longer hours or taking on multiple shifts. This, she warned, could negatively impact their health and performance.
To address these challenges, she pointed to the Barbados National Workplace Wellness Policy as a key framework to support healthier work environments.
“This policy allows us to bring together both physical and psychosocial aspects of workplace safety. This year, we will be advocating more strongly for its implementation across all workplaces,” Ms. Mayers stated.
She stressed that workplace wellness initiatives are not limited to large organisations and can be easily adopted by small businesses.
“It does not have to be complicated. Even in a small workplace, simple actions such as checking in with staff, encouraging breaks, or creating opportunities for team bonding can make a significant difference,” she said.
Ms. Mayers added that genuine engagement is critical. “When you ask someone how they are doing, take the time to listen. Those simple human interactions can have a lasting impact.”
As activities continue to mark World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the Ministry is urging organisations to be more intentional and strategic in promoting wellness, while encouraging those who have not yet started to take the first step.
“Workplace safety is about the total wellbeing of individuals. When employees are healthy, supported, and engaged, the entire organisation benefits,” Ms. Mayers said.
