Honouring Excellence In Health, Safety, And The Environment

Excellence in HSE, Outstanding OSH and Environmental Project, and the HSE Evolution Award were just some of the categories of awards handed out at AMCHAM's 14th Annual National Excellence in HSE Awards. Minister of Trade and Industry, Paula Gopee-Scoon, said HSE practices can make or break a business and are an important issue at the international level. "In fact, as we speak, we are currently participating at COP29 in Azerbaijan. This Conference will once again underscore the urgent need to tackle the climate crisis which negatively affects human health." She said the Government is working with the private sector to help advance HSE Policy with an eye to environmental safety. "As it relates to the environment, the Ministry of Trade and Industry is charting a way forward for Green Manufacturing and this is aimed at reducing the country’s carbon footprint and signals the Government’s commitment to environmental preservation and climate goals while supporting the manufacturing industry to achieve global competitiveness and responsible economic growth, engendering a culture of sustainable manufacturing. So we can expect the legislation related to this to be soon brought to Parliament to operationalise fully the Green Manufacturing Initiative." President of AMCHAM, Nirad Tewarie, drew attention to mental health in the workplace, and praised those companies which are now trying to enhance mental health support. "How seriously are we treating mental health as a business imperative in a people-first work environment? Studies worldwide show that 1 in 4 people, that’s two people on every table equivalent, will experience a mental health issue in any given year." The Trade and Industry Minister noted that a holistic approach can help create a supportive work culture and reduce the 12 billion days lost annually to depression and anxiety, as recorded by the World Health Organization.