The Ministry of Labour has conducted more than 6,000 workplace inspections across Guyana’s high-risk and low-risk sectors over the last several years
They have reached more than 27,000 workers through inspections, education programmes, awareness campaigns and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
The figures were highlighted by Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning Keoma Griffith during remarks at the AmCham Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) Conference on Thursday, where he underscored the government’s continued focus on workplace safety.
According to Griffith, the inspections form part of a broader effort to strengthen occupational safety and health standards across the country while ensuring workers have access to safe and dignified working environments.
“These efforts have contributed to measurable improvement in workplace safety and demonstrate the government’s commitment to creating safer and healthier workplaces and working environments throughout Guyana,” he said.
Griffith noted that the ministry’s safety oversight has expanded significantly to keep pace with Guyana’s rapidly growing economy. In addition to inspections across traditional industries, the ministry has increased its presence in emerging sectors through offshore inspections, sector-specific training programmes, worker engagements and strategic partnerships.
The ministry continues to strengthen occupational safety and health standards in industries including oil and gas, construction, maritime, agriculture and manufacturing.
Griffith said the pace of inspections has increased in 2026, with the Occupational Safety and Health Department already completing a substantial portion of its annual inspection programme within the first five months of the year.
“Importantly, our efforts have not slowed, they have accelerated,” Griffith said, adding that the department is on track to surpass previous annual inspection levels before the end of 2026.
He explained that workplace safety remains a central pillar of the government’s labour agenda under Guyana’s Third Decent Work Country Programme 2025-2030, which aims to strengthen occupational safety and health systems, advance worker protection and promote safer working environments nationwide.
“These efforts demonstrate that workplace safety is not an afterthought; it is a national priority,” Griffith said.
He stressed that maintaining safe workplaces requires a continuous commitment from all stakeholders.
“Safety is not seasonal, it is not optional, it is a daily commitment to the wellbeing of the workers who continue to drive our nation’s development,” Griffith said.
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