‘How to prevent occupational hazards’

The global workforce has been estimated to be 2.8 billion of the world’s population. Yet, in a recent survey by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), about 2.3 million people die annually due to work-related diseases. How can we safeguard the health of the Nigerian worker? This was the point of discussion at a stakeholders’ forum held to commemorate the World Day for Safety and Health at Work.

The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is a day set aside by ILO to remember victims of work-related hazards and how best to safeguard the health of workers worldwide through advocacy, enlightenment campaigns and policy formulation.

The programme was held at the Tom Associates Training Centre in Lagos with the theme: ‘’The Prevention of Occupational Diseases.’’

In a welcome remark, the National Coordinator of Safety Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (SAEF), Kadiri Shamusideen, said occupational safety should form a key aspect of our corporate culture. He promised that SAEF would continue to partner other organisations to assure safety and health of the Nigerian worker.

Delivering a lecture entitled The Prevention of Occupational Diseases, National Secretary of Safety in Occupational and Environmental Health Practitioners of Nigeria (SOEHPON), Dr Okon Agiba, called for preventive and interventionist programmes for managing occupational health hazards in the country. He noted that this can be achieved through pre-employment medical evaluation, integration of ergonomics into the design of new projects by engineers, and availability of medical emergency response programmes. He added: ‘’There must be effective collaboration among occupational and environmental health physicians, safety officers, academics and researchers for the delivery of optimal occupational health services to workers in Nigeria.’’

Speaking on the same theme, First-Aid expert and Managing Director of Rely Supply Limited, Mrs. Fayo Williams lamented that despite the avalanche of policies on job creation, occupational safety has not been given appropriate attention. She advised policy-makers to shift their focus to occupational safety. She said: ‘’Employers need to improve the level of compliance to occupational safety and health standards. We need to have good working conditions for our workforce. We need local health facilities like first aid and relief packages for workers who are sick or injured and a proper occupational disaster management system.’’ While calling on governments and stakeholders to speed up legislation on occupational health, she added that our factory laws need to be reviewed to reflect current realities.

Executive Director of SAEF, Jamiu Badmus commended the recent Corporate Manslaughter Law and urged the Federal Government, lawmakers and stakeholders to ensure a speedy passage of the new bill on occupational health. This, according to him, would revolutionise corporate health management in Nigeria.

In her address, representative of the Lagos State Commissioner of Health, Mrs. T. Salami advised individuals to make safety a key element in their daily practices. She said: ‘’Safety must be made a habit and part of our daily culture. This includes our handling of home appliances and respect for conventional safety instructions.’’

While explaining the dynamics and relevance of the 2010 Compensation Law to the Nigerian worker, Director-General of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Mrs. Toyin Ogwara pledged the readiness and commitment of the agency to compensate injured workers, irrespective of who caused the industrial accident. She, however, urged participants to make safety their watchword.

On his part, occupational health and safety consultant, Ehin Iden said organisational policies need to be tailored towards occupational safety and health of employees. He advised human resources managers to be wary of the medical state of their recruits to reduce health liabilities of their organisations. He added: ‘’ A lot of organisations are coming into the country courtesy of foreign direct investment effort by government. That is remarkable. But we must ensure we protect Nigerians who work for these corporations.’’

During the programme, awards were presented to deserving individuals and organisations. A special award of excellence was conferred on Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) of Lagos State for his giant strides in making Lagos safe for all. Other recipients were the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Jide Idris; Nigeria Red Cross Society; Lagos State Driving Institute; Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF); Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON); National Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria (NISCN); Society of Occupational Health Organisation of Nigeria (SOHON) and Mrs. Fayo Williams.

An occupational safety outfit, Hybrid Consulting offered free training opportunities for three participants through a raffle draw. They included Joshua Jewola who won NEBOSH Oil and Gas Training; Sanni Anibire (NEBOSH International General Certificate) and Tayo Badmus (Environmental Management Training), alongside Olusegun Ogunsanwo and Semiu Adesina both from the Lagos State Fire Service. In his acceptance remark, Tayo, a youth corps member serving in Lagos State, thanked organisers of the event, even as he pledged to maximise the opportunity.

In a chat with Newsextra, a participant Dolapo Adeosun said the programme exposed her to the realities of corporate hazards and the role of the employee in occupational health and safety. ‘’Today, I learnt that the security of my health as an employee does not lay solely in the hands of my employers. Employee safety is a right and never a privilege. So, I have a role to play by seeking redress whenever my rights are trampled upon,’’ she said.

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