Denton Williams, senior vice president of Ascendant Group and chief operation officer of Belco, has been appointed chairman of the Safety and Health Advisory Council.

Meanwhile, Belco is launching its first safety survey in tandem with the World Day for Safety and Health, which was marked yesterday. Ascendant also closed Occupational Health, Safety and Environment Week, with wreaths laid in honour of the 17 staff who have lost their lives since Belco’s inception.

Workplace injuries are linked to 2.3 million deaths a year worldwide, according to health minister Jeanne Atherden, and while the island’s rise in construction is welcome, “it does come with risks and hazards”.

The minister noted that the island had already seen one workplace tragedy this year.

“For each fatality, there are many more serious and debilitating accidents, and occupational conditions that could lead to ill health.

“There are also dangerous occurrences or near misses that are not known, except to those involved.”