Good morning, everyone,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to AMCHAM T&T's 28th Annual HSSE Conference & Exhibition.

Before we dive into today’s agenda, I’d like to take a moment to extend our deepest gratitude to all of our sponsors, particularly our Title Sponsor, Atlantic. Without their generous support, this event would not be possible. Their commitment to addressing the critical issues we’ll explore over the next two days—and hopefully long after—truly makes a difference.

Celebrating 28 years is a significant milestone, underscoring the vital importance of Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) in every aspect of our lives. Over these years, we’ve faced numerous challenges, but we’ve also gained invaluable insights and made remarkable strides. There’s no reason to think that this year will be any different.
We are fortunate to have an exceptional lineup of speakers who will be delving into complex topics related to HSE leadership. I encourage you to fully engage with their insights—what you learn here will not only enhance your professional endeavors but also enrich your personal lives.

This year’s theme, Human Factors, is particularly relevant. It focuses on the critical role that human elements play in building strong, resilient safety cultures within our organizations and communities.

Personally, I am excited about this theme because it truly captures the moment we are in. Today, we find ourselves at a point in our nation’s history where the weight of our challenges can often feel overwhelming, threatening to crush our hopes for a better future. Yet, I want to stress that the message I want you to carry forward from this conference is not one of doom and gloom.

Yes, we face pressing issues that threaten our future. But history has shown us time and again that adversity brings out the best in us. Even in our darkest moments, we are capable of extraordinary things. I see no reason why today’s challenges cannot become tomorrow’s triumphs. The key to that transformation lies in how we approach them—and that starts with the human factor.

We must understand that many workplace accidents, for instance, are not merely the result of negligence, but often of human error driven by fatigue, stress, or inadequate training. Research shows that up to 90% of workplace accidents are linked to these factors. Imagine if we focused not only on the "how" of these incidents but also on the "why." By truly understanding the human factors behind these accidents, we can create better systems, better environments, and ultimately save lives.

In today’s fast-paced work environments, the pressure to perform often overshadows safety considerations. But it’s vital that we shift our perspective—from seeing employees as liabilities to recognizing them as assets in our safety efforts. By prioritizing their physical and psychological well-being, we can cultivate a culture of safety that not only prevents accidents but enhances productivity and job satisfaction.

Our goal must always be to create workplaces where employees thrive, not just survive. While this may seem daunting, AMCHAM T&T has been steadfast in integrating Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) into our HSSE agenda. I am proud to say that many of our members have embraced this journey and are demonstrating their commitment to creating environments where employees can go home safely each day.

When we implement policies and processes, we must ask ourselves: Do our people feel truly safe in their environment? Do they feel valued, respected, and engaged? Are they empowered to speak up about hazards or mistakes, knowing they will not face reprisal?
As leaders, it’s our responsibility to foster an environment where open communication is encouraged—where team members feel supported and able to look out for one another. This is how we reduce accidents and create a culture of care.

We must also deepen our understanding of the psychological and social factors influencing behavior so that we can design better interventions that promote safer practices.
This is why HSSE leadership is so vital. Today, the narrative is shifting. It’s no longer just about punishment or enforcement; it’s about understanding why issues arise and learning from those involved. Our Feature Speaker, Bob Edwards, will explore this theme in more depth during his presentation after the opening ceremony.

Every leader in this room, regardless of industry, stands to gain immensely from addressing the human factors behind problems and using those insights to guide decision-making that leads to real solutions.

AMCHAM T&T has demonstrated this commitment repeatedly. Recently, we partnered with WASA and the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago to conduct a learning team that identified gaps in training, particularly in excavation safety. This collaboration led to effective initiatives aimed at closing those gaps—again, not about assigning blame, but about working together to find solutions that keep people safe.

We saw this same spirit of collaboration at last night’s awards ceremony, where we witnessed more companies willing to undergo third-party safety assessments. This is a significant step forward—a sign of genuine commitment to safety beyond compliance. These companies are opening their doors for evaluation and seeking ways to improve. It takes courage and vulnerability to put oneself forward for such assessments, and we are grateful for the leadership of those who are doing so.

This commitment doesn’t stop at assessments. AMCHAM T&T has expanded its HSE Awards program to include mentoring for companies looking to close gaps identified during evaluations. This mentorship, offered free of charge by professionals who are dedicated to national service, reflects our unwavering commitment to improving safety culture across the country.

Looking to the future, we are also introducing discussions on artificial intelligence (AI) at this year’s conference. AI holds great promise in improving our operations, but we must also understand its implications for both job creation and risk management. While AI may displace some jobs, it also has the potential to create new opportunities.

As we integrate new technologies, we must also consider the risks associated with them—especially in the realm of cybersecurity. Many breaches are linked to human error—not out of negligence, but due to inadequate training or stress. By addressing the human factors behind these vulnerabilities, we can foster a culture of security in which employees feel empowered to recognize threats and respond appropriately.

I also want to take a moment to acknowledge a growing concern in our society. Last month, we mourned the tragic loss of a young person to suicide, allegedly as a result of school bullying. We also grieve over the ongoing reports of women and children being killed in domestic violence incidents. These tragedies remind us that the human factors behind such events are often more complex than we realize.

As we search for answers to these heartbreaking incidents, we must understand not just how they occurred, but why. Only by addressing the root causes can we hope to prevent such tragedies from happening again.

Our youth are the future, and many are incredibly bright and capable—they simply need our support to help them navigate these challenges and reach their full potential. Tomorrow, we have an exciting day planned for them, focused on innovation, technology, renewable energy, and leadership development. We want to encourage them to become the leaders they are destined to be. We will also host a session with local law enforcement to remind them that they are not alone—that they have a network of support from parents, teachers, colleagues, neighbors, and law enforcement.

In closing, while I am encouraged by the progress, we’ve made in improving safety culture across the nation, we must not lose sight of the need for collective action against crime. Our advancements in safety will be undermined if crime continues unchecked, as it affects every one of us—regardless of race, gender, or class. AMCHAM T&T reiterates the urgent need for collaboration between government, law enforcement, and communities to combat crime effectively.

So, let’s continue to work together to build a safer, stronger future for everyone.
As I conclude, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks once again to all our sponsors, our distinguished panel of speakers, and, most importantly, our participants for your unwavering support for this event.

I would also like to express my gratitude to our HSE Committee Chair, Mr. Balchan Jadoonanan, for his exemplary leadership. I also want to recognize our Secretariat team, particularly our CEO, Nirad, and our dedicated team members—Melissa, Arianna, Choy, and Reisa—who have done an incredible job coordinating this event.

Thank you all, and God bless!

END.