A call for a Safer and Healthy Work Environment

A call for a Safer and Healthy Work Environment

By Yemi Olakitan 

 

 

 

     Health, safety and security in the workplace are key issues that are often neglected in most organisations. The result of which can be disastrous both to the employees and the employers in terms of accidents, permanent disability or death. Occupational Safety and health Association, an international association of safety professionals and stakeholders recently had a conference in Lagos on the subject in order to draw attention of the public to the importance of safety and health in the workplace. According to conference consultant, Emmanuel Uwalaka, CEO of Elak Multi Resources Nig. Ltd, the issue of safety, health and security of the work environment is very important so that the problems of accidents, incalculable injury, permanent disability or even death can be prevented. The Conference which was titled: Health, Safety and security challenges of the modern workplace- Way forward had participating members from Chevron, Zenith Bank, Shell, Access Bank, Oando, Total, Nestle, Mobil and several other corporate entities in attendance. It was a gathering of concerned Nigerians from the corporate community on the issues of health and safety.

        Speaking further, Uwalaka, said the aim of the conference was to bring all employers and employees together to discuss the challenges of health and safety at the work place. The conference also creates a great platform for networking opportunities for conference participants, safety professionals and members of the association to share ideas on how to promote safety and health in the work environment in Nigeria. In his goodwill message, Dr.Olubayode Awosika, Honourable Fellow of the Association welcome participants to the conference, he said it is impossible to count the number of accidents that occur in the work place everyday neither can one count the numbers that are prevented through safety and healthy practice. He saluted newly inducted members of the association starting from fellows to graduate members, and also welcome the forthcoming new members as they join hands in pursuing the goal of providing a safety conscious mindset and culture among the employees and employers of this great country. According to him, the job of saving lives and preventing injuries, death or permanent disability in the workplace is not an individual task but a collective responsibility of all and sundry. ‘‘Occupational safety and health in the workplace is a responsibility that must not be abandoned to chance. Anybody can be a victim’’ He said.  

       Speakers at the event include Brian Greenway, Nwachucku Abraham, Harris Ibekwe, Itua Otaigbe and Dr. Olugbenga Bejide who presented different papers at the conference. The first lecture was given by Abraham who spoke on the concepts of occupational safety, tracing its history to the 18^th century England when new machines were invented for factories around the world. Many workers were facing accidents and dying in large numbers all over Europe. This development gave rise to the need for occupational safety which according to Abraham is still as relevant as it was then in our industries. The theme of the conference: Health Safety and the security challenges of the modern workplace is a pointer to the need to educate and enlighten Nigerians on the need for safety in the work place since many workers are still facing accidents that can be prevented if the necessary safety steps were taking.

    He said, laws that were enacted to protect workers in their work place must be enforced in all departments of labour. The employer must provide safety and healthy environment for the workers. The employees must follow the health and safety rules. The rights and duties of employees must be upheld in our workplace in order to ensure safety and prevent loss of lives. The chairman of the conference, Felix O Ewulo, former Director General of Ogun state Environmental Agency call on all stakeholders on the issue of safety in the workplace to pay careful attention to rules governing safety and health. He asked OSHA to continue to enlighten Nigerians through workshops, training, and conferences on the need to be safe and alive at work. In another paper presented by Mr. Abraham Nwachukwu tagged; Critical Review of the Changing workplace, he talked about the workers and his environment, the evolution of technology. According to him, the conditions in our workplace have changed as compared to the pre-colonial and post colonial era.  ‘’Our workplaces are not what they used to be, it is both a responsibility of the worker, the employer, the government  and the employee to ensure safety, prevent loss of lives and disability.’’ He stressed the need for helmets, boots, gloves, first aid boxes, education and training in our workplace in order to ensure safety. While speaking at the event, Brian Greenway, an accomplished safety professional of over 40 years experience, said one injury is far too many. He said it was important to set up training schools in Nigeria. When asked why low skilled workers who are often victims of accidents and injuries in factories are not present at the conference, Greenway said, OSHA has found it effective to get the management on board on the issue of safety. Once you get the top management of a company on board, it will be easy to get the lower cadre involved in safety management and accident prevention in the work place. He called on the government of Nigeria, safety professionals to push for safety and good working conditions in the country since many accidents, death and disability are often unreported. He also emphasised the need for education and training. As part of the conference, a drama presentation was enacted which told the story of a CEO who unknowingly inhaled a bottled chemical substance out of curiosity and instantly died. This chemical was meant for the factory. The drama was staged to buttress the fact that safety is not limited to factories alone but can occur even in executive offices.