Safety standards of factories in Eastern Region compromised

The safety standards of many factories including fuel filling stations and restaurants in the Eastern Region are being compromised, Ghana News Agency (GNA) investigations have revealed.

The situation poses danger to the lives of workers and the public in the respective areas.

The investigations revealed that some fuel stations, particularly gas filling stations are sited close to residential areas and other social buildings and in the event of any explosion, many lives and property could be lost.

Many workers at processing factories and restaurants are without safety equipment whiles fuel stations operate without safety standards.

The Factories Inspectorate Department of the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare in the region lacks the adequate logistics to perform its duties.

As a result, the department is not effectively checking the safety standards of the factories and offices to ensure the safety of the workers.

GNA investigations revealed that the Regional Factories Inspectorate Office with oversight responsibility for the Volta Region has no vehicle.

The department therefore finds it difficult to undertake comprehensive occupational health and safety inspections of factories as demanded by law.

Furthermore, the department has only one Chief Inspector to check the health and safety standards of the many factories in the two regions.

The factories Inspectorate was established by an Act of Parliament, Act 328 to ensure that all factories including offices and shops adhere to the health and safety standards for the utmost safety of their employees and for the general public as well.

The Department per its mandate is one of the revenue generation avenues for the government since health and safety certificates are issued at a fee to factories, offices and shops which satisfied the conditions.

Additionally, revenue is also generated from registration of premises and renewal of occupational health and safety certificates.

Source: GNA