The Department of Labour, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs has signalled a decisive push to address growing workplace health risks linked to poor indoor air quality and mould, as Saint Lucia joined the international community in observing World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2026.
The call to action came during a national Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Seminar hosted on April 28, that brought together engineers, environmental health officers, facility managers, and other key stakeholders to confront what has been identified as an emerging national challenge.
Permanent Secretary in the Department of Labour Sheila Imbert underscored the scale and urgency of the issue, noting its increasing impact across both public and private sector institutions. “In recent years, poor indoor air quality and mould contamination in workplaces have become a significant concern in Saint Lucia,” she stated, pointing to operational disruptions, worker displacement, and mounting health concerns.
Within the last financial year alone, the Department conducted site visits to 27 agencies in response to mould and air quality complaints, each experiencing some level of shutdown, in some cases for extended periods. “These disruptions have resulted not only in loss of productivity but also adverse effects on staff health, including their mental wellbeing,” the Permanent Secretary added.
Against this backdrop, Minister for Labour, Hon. Emma Hippolyte, delivered a frank assessment of the situation, emphasizing that the issue is largely man-made and requires urgent corrective action. “We have a significant problem. Many of our buildings are, frankly, ‘sick’—and in many instances, we have made them that way,” the Minister stated.
She stressed the need for accountability and collaboration among professionals responsible for building design, maintenance, and regulation, noting that the very actors involved in creating these environments must now be part of the solution. “We have brought together the engineers, the technicians, the property managers—because the responsibility is shared, and the solutions must also be collective,” she said.
The seminar, held under the theme “Effects of Poor Indoor Air Quality and Mould on Occupational Health,” was deliberately tailored to reflect Saint Lucia’s current realities, diverging from the global theme to address a pressing local issue.
Minister Hippolyte called for the session to move beyond discussion and deliver tangible outcomes. “It is not enough for us to meet and have a good discussion. We need actionable recommendations, clear steps on what we will do differently across agencies, sectors, and professions,” she urged.
She further indicated that the outcomes of the seminar could inform future policy and legislative action. The Department’s response includes a comprehensive approach to awareness, prevention, and capacity-building.
The seminar aimed to Increase national awareness of indoor air quality risks; Educate employers and employees on prevention and control measures; Promote collaboration among technical, medical, and regulatory stakeholders and Encourage proactive building maintenance and early intervention.
In addition, the Department of Labour is advancing the development of a National Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Profile, which will provide a data-driven assessment of workplace conditions and serve as the foundation for a national OSH policy and programme.
Minister Hippolyte reinforced the broader national implications of the issue, calling for a unified commitment to change. “The health of this nation is in your hands. We must work together to create healthier environments, for our workers, for our institutions, and for Saint Lucia as a whole.”
As Saint Lucia marked this global observance, the Government has made clear that workplace health and safety remains a priority, with a renewed focus on prevention, accountability, and sustainable solutions.
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