New and emerging risks in occupational health and safety among the leading financial banks in Malta

Abstract

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is of great importance to every individual and to society as a whole because people need to maintain their good health. By local OHS legislation, an employer is duty bound to ensure the health and safety of all persons who may be affected by the work being carried out for the employer. A way that the employers ensure this obligation is through the conducting a suitable, sufficient and systematic risk assessment that addresses all the main major hazards. This study evaluates how new and emerging risks are being addressed and managed among the leading Financial Banks in Malta in accordance with the local OHS legislation and compares the control measures being implemented by these banks with national applicable OHS regulations. This study looked into a number of issues such as an evaluation of awareness and the management of the new and emerging risks such as stress, violence, harassment, musculoskeletal disorders and use of visual display units. Furthermore a comparison was made with the level of compliance with the local OHS legislation. Several of face-to-face interviews were held with a number of persons responsible for health and safety (either the Health and Safety manager or the Human Resources Manager). Several conclusions were drawn. In particular it was noted that, in spite of the interest and knowledge displayed by the participants, there was only a moderate level of compliance with the local OHS legislation. A number of recommendations are also being made in this study.