The Accident Compensation Commission of Fiji (ACCF) held its final Board meeting for the year on Monday, 29th November 2021. ACCF CEO Mr. Parvez Akbar’s operational update confirms that a significant number of employment accidents occur in the Tourism industry.
ACCF has been processing applications for compensation for employment accidents since January 2019, and prior to the closure of Fiji’s international borders the Tourism industry featured as one of the main industries where employment accidents occurred. ACCF has paid approximately $180,000.00 to workers from the Tourism industry for injuries arising from employment accidents.
Some common causes of injuries in the Tourism industry include:
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Handling material and tools
- Burns from hot substances and fire
- Machinery
The health, safety and wellbeing of workers in the workplace is the responsibility of both employers and workers. Employers should provide a safe working environment, training and supervision, and protective personal equipment. Workers should follow all health and safety instructions, wear personal protective equipment and take reasonable care to ensure they do not cause harm to themselves or to others.
One of the most important factors in promoting health and safety in the workplace is leadership. The health and safety culture should be determined by leaders, and they should lead by example.
The ACCF Board acknowledged the payment of more than $23 million in compensation to victims and families of victims of motor vehicle, employment and school accidents. Approximately 80% of this sum would not have been paid if the applications for compensation were made prior to the introduction of the Accident Compensation Scheme by the Fijian Government.
ACCF reiterates the importance of employers and employees complying with COVID-19 safety protocols.