Each year, World Day for Safety and Health at Work, led globally by the International Labour Organization (ILO), provides us with an opportunity to reflect on where we are, where we need to go, and how we can continue to safeguard the lives and wellbeing of workers across Trinidad and Tobago. This year, under the theme “Revolutionizing Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalization at Work,” we are called to embrace a future where technology enhances—not replaces—our commitment to safer workplaces.
At the Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA), our mission remains clear: to elevate risk management, commitment to world standards and accountability to safety across all industries and sectors in Trinidad and Tobago. Over the past year, we have made meaningful progress toward this goal, but our journey continues.
Between October 2023 and September 2024, our Agency:
- Conducted 2,289 inspections;
- Carried out 879 accident investigations;
- Investigated 571 workplace complaints;
- Issued 91 improvement notices and 54 prohibition notices;
- And pursued 26 matters in the Industrial Court.
These numbers speak to our proactive stance on enforcement and our commitment to holding all stakeholders accountable. However, these statistics also underscore the continued presence of hazards and gaps in compliance which requires attention.
In fact, recent data trends of the most affected sectors were: Human Health and Social Work Activities the highest incidence, with 260 reported injuries, manufacturing with 187 injuries and Wholesale and Retail Trade with 185 injuries.
The leading cause of injury was reported as slips, trips and falls, responsible for 343 incidents, or 24% of all reported cases. In terms of injury type, wounds and superficial injuries dominated, accounting for 59% of all reports, followed by bone fractures and sprains. These figures remind us that many injuries, though common, can have lasting personal and professional consequences.
These statistics also reveal where AI can support mitigative measures to minimise workplace injuries and the ongoing need for vigilance. The theme of artificial intelligence and digitalization comes at a pivotal time. The tools that exist now can allow for electronic inspection systems and real-time hazard monitoring.
As OSHA marks this important day, let us explore ways to integrate digital solutions into our national landscape by adopting and adapting – Digital inspection systems to enhance efficiency and responsiveness; AI-powered forecasting tools to identify emerging risks across industries, virtual safety training modules to reach more workers effectively, as well as mobile and real-time reporting platforms to support faster interventions.
To everyone reading this, remember that safety starts with awareness. Know your rights. Speak up when something doesn’t feel right. Ask questions. OSHA is here to support you, but creating safer workplaces is a shared responsibility. It takes cooperation between employers, employees, unions, civil society, private and public sector.
Our goal is to use technology not just to modernize systems, but to humanize safety. To ensure that no worker is left behind, regardless of industry or location. Safety begins with awareness and grows through collaboration. At OSHA, we urge workers to know their rights and join us as we continue to work together to build a safer and healthier Trinidad and Tobago.
