MHES Advances Safer Workplaces With First On-Site HSE Culture Survey at DEH Solid Waste Facility
Fifty-five employees at the Department of Environmental Health’s Solid Waste Facility participated in the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability’s first on-site Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Culture Survey on 16 June 2026. This initiative marks a significant milestone in enhancing workplace safety and operational resilience.
The survey aimed to capture employees’ experiences and perceptions about workplace safety, identifying gaps and areas for improvement. Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, Minister for Health, Environment and Sustainability, emphasised, “Before we can lead change effectively, we must listen... We must know where the risks lie, where our systems are strong, and where improvements are needed.”
The HSE Culture Survey builds on efforts since February 2026, incorporating a Health, Safety and Environment Management System, aligned with ISO 45001 principles. The Ministry is developing standard operating procedures covering incident notification, risk management and workplace inspections initially focusing on DEH. The Ministry is also developing new workplace health and safety legislation, to strengthen protections, and support safer workplaces across both the public and private sectors.
In 2023, a Safety and Compliance Officer was appointed at the Mosquito Research and Control Unit (MRCU). An initial audit revealed safety compliance at approximately 3%. After two years of structured improvements, compliance rose to approximately 40%.
Chief Officer, Ms Tamara Ebanks, highlighted the importance of health and safety in high risk areas, stating, “The Ministry’s portfolio includes several high-risk areas, and we are committed to ensuring that every employee is protected and supported in their place of work. The Health, Safety and Environment Management System forms part of our strategic plan, and its outcomes are important not only for civil servants, but for workers across the country as we work to build a proactive, resilient, and accountable safety culture.”
The Ministry’s Health, Safety and Environment Specialist, Mr Osei Alexander, described the survey as vital: “Before we can effectively lead change, it is essential that we listen to our employees, understand their experiences, and gain insight into the existing HSE culture across our operational areas”.
The Ministry plans to serve as a pilot for a wider Government approach to Health, Safety and Environment management, focusing on higher-risk areas before expanding to the wider Civil Service. The Minister stated, “Good health and safety is not a cost to be avoided; it is an investment in people, performance, productivity, and national wellbeing.”
