Pictured above Minister of Small Business, Entrepreneurship and Commerce, Dwight Sutherland ( at left ) chatting with Mr. Hakeem Watson owner of Watson’s Auto Mechanical Services.
The Barbados National Standard Institution has come up with a Business Verification Mark to allow businesses to operate safely during the current COVID-19 environment.
Minister of Small Business, Entrepreneurship and Commerce, Dwight Sutherland, made this disclosure following visits to two clients from the Barbados Trust Fund Limited and FundAccess in Workmans and Jordans Land, St. George.
Mr. Sutherland said more than a month ago, officials in the BNSI and his Ministry “sat down” and looked at the ISO 45001 Standard, which is the international organisational standard for Occupational Health and Safety, with the view to coming up with a business verification that allows business continuity.
“We decided that we need to come up with a Business Verification Mark that would allow businesses to operate in this environment during COVID, safely.
“When I say safely, you have to recognise the health protocols that have been put in place with respect to COVID-19, and this was before we started reopening businesses…. The BNSI will be speaking to the public shortly about this Business Verification Mark because it caters to the COVID-19 protocols that have been put in place that we need to adhere to.”
He continued: “And this also looks at mitigating risks within institutions and the safety of organisations and employees. So, we believe a holistic approach is needed in order to allow the international arena and persons visiting Barbados to say Barbados is a safe place to conduct business.”
Mr. Sutherland added that as the country reopens for commerce, the BNSI has a major role to play to ensure that businesses are safe to operate; adhere to the COVID-19 health protocols; and promote employee engagement, among other requirements.
He stated: “I think this Business Verification Mark that BNSI will put out to the business sector will complement the COVID-19 protocols that have been put in place. The BNSI, as an internationally recognised body, once we adhere to 45001 Standard for Occupational Safety and Health, which is in accordance with the ILO laws, then we are on our way to returning business to a respectable state in this country.”
The Minister urged Barbadians to be each other’s keeper and help return employment to respectable levels by adhering to the protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
