Bukola Abe
Creating proper awareness and sensitization about occupational health and safety standards in an organisation will reduce workplace hazards and risks.
The National President, Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria, ISPON, Mr. Timothy Iwuagwu stated this while speaking on Dateline Lagos RadioOne, News Magazine.
Mr. Iwuagwu said most organisations have played down on safety, making the workplace environment unconducive and susceptible to hazards that can lead to physical injury or death.
The ISPON boss urged the government through relevant agencies established by the ministry of labour and productivity to ensure that all organisations both formal and informal pass the safety compliance check before accreditation.
Also speaking, a Fellow, ISPON, Dr. Timilehin Ajayi, decried the lack of safety equipment in many organisations citing the example of waste management officers without protective gears, siting and dining in locations where there are decomposing organisms.
Dr Ajayi noted that workers should personally do a risk assessment of their workplace, look out for things that could cause harm or injury and call the attention of their employees to it.
He added that with proper training, retraining on safety, proper supervision and compliance with safe work procedures, workplace hazards will be reduced to the barest.