Malta takes centre stage as European leader in worker health and safety

Malta has positioned itself at the forefront of European occupational health and safety (OHS) by hosting a significant joint conference that brought together key industry players. The seminar, which saw 133 attendees, was a collaborative effort between the European Network of Safety and Health Practitioner Organisations (ENSHPO), the Malta Occupational Safety and Health Practitioners Association (MOSHPA), and the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA). The event was attended by representatives from all 17 countries that comprise ENSHPO, underscoring Malta’s growing influence in the sector.

ENSHPO is an umbrella organisation that connects national OHS associations across Europe to promote collaboration and share best practices. Its president, Francesco Santi, highlighted the network’s role in elevating local standards to a global level through knowledge exchange. He commended Malta, MOSHPA, and OHSA for their proactive steps in worker protection, stating that ENSHPO’s initiatives aim to create a “ripple effect that promotes global standards and practices.”

MOSHPA, dedicated to advancing the OHS profession in Malta, works closely with OHSA, the national body responsible for ensuring safe and healthy workplaces. George Steve Darmanin, President of MOSHPA, used the platform to announce the upcoming issuance of Malta’s first-ever Guidelines for Project Supervisors for Health and Safety on Construction Sites. He stressed that these guidelines, while starting with the construction industry due to its urgent needs, should not be the last, and called for professionals from all sectors to contribute to shaping the future of safety. Darmanin and Santi’s remarks echoed the overarching theme of the conference: a collective responsibility to raise the bar for OHS standards.

The seminar also delved into the new regulatory landscape in Malta, with a particular focus on the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Administrative Instrument (AI) 1 of 2025. This latter instrument is a set of regulations regarding competent persons in the role of project supervisors, which has been hailed as a benchmark for other countries to follow. The conference discussed how these new frameworks are set to improve the competence of OHS professionals, which in turn is expected to reduce workplace accidents and occupational diseases.

While the conference focused on the content and contributions of ENSHPO and MOSHPA speakers, it was launched by the Minister for Justice and Reform of the Construction Sector, who described the local OHS framework as a “blueprint for the future.” Dr Josianne Cutajar, CEO of OHSA, concluded the event by stating that the conference was “Malta’s invitation to the international stage,” a signal that the country is not only ready to learn but also to lead.

For further information, contact OHSA on Helpline 138 (available 24/7) or via e-mail on ohsa@ohsa.mt.