‘Safety is a right, not a burden’ – Labour Minister urges culture shift at HSSE conference 

As Guyana undergoes unprecedented economic expansion and workforce transformation, Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning Keoma Griffith has urged employers, workers and policymakers to make workplace safety a defining pillar of the country’s development.

Speaking at the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Guyana’s 6th Annual Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) Conference on Thursday, Griffith said building a safer Guyana requires more than regulations and compliance measures; it requires a shared commitment to protecting the people driving the nation’s progress.

“Safety is not about assigning blame but accepting responsibility. Building a strong health and safety culture requires more than policies and regulations; it requires a collective commitment to protecting the people who power the nation’s development,” Griffith said.

Held under the theme “Building Out a Health and Safety Culture for a Safer Guyana,” the conference comes at what Griffith described as a defining moment for the country, with traditional industries expanding and new opportunities emerging across several sectors.

“Today’s workplace extends far beyond the traditional office or factory setting,” he said, pointing to workers on offshore installations, construction sites, mining operations, farms, transportation networks, commercial enterprises and the growing digital economy.

Despite the rapid pace of development, Griffith stressed that worker wellbeing must never be sidelined.

“The safety, health and wellbeing of workers can never be treated as an afterthought or viewed as a regulatory burden. Workplace safety is not merely a compliance requirement; it is a fundamental right and reflects our commitment to human dignity and decent work,” he said.

Griffith also emphasised the need for continued engagement among government, businesses and workers, noting that “dialogue is essential to all of this.”

“If people drive development, then protecting people must remain one of the clearest measures of development success,” he added.

Meanwhile, United States Deputy Chief of Mission John Crippen said Guyana has a rare opportunity to embed a culture of safety as its economy continues to expand, particularly through the energy sector.

“Guyana has a window open right now. The energy sector is creating opportunities to invest in institutions, infrastructure and people. But the question is not whether to build, but how,” Crippen said.

He urged businesses to make safety a foundational element of their operations rather than waiting until after workplace incidents occur.

“Embedding a safety culture into your business community now is one of the most important investments your country can make. It is far easier to build a safety culture from the start than to do it after an incident. It is far less costly to train workers today than to manage the human and financial consequences of preventable accidents tomorrow,” he said.

Crippen added that protecting workers and maintaining safe worksites are essential to earning public trust and ensuring sustainable development.