ASSE moves to achieve optimal occupational safety

THE Nigeria chapter of American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) has said its vision to achieve zero compliance, hazard, complaint and contamination and spills is achievable.

   Speaking during a technical session at the association’s ongoing conference and exhibition in Lagos, one of the experts, Jamiu Badmus, said it was high time for experts in the industry as well as stakeholders to put priority to health and safety of lives and property.

   Badmus, who said that most of the reoccurring safety incidents across the country are avoidable, urged individuals and organisations to beware of human errors, which may cause damage to lives and property.

   “Vision zero is achievable in Nigeria. We must all go out to challenge believe of people, Change their behaviour and check continuously to see that safety standards are maintained”, Badmus stated.

   He said that the implementation of the vision must start from the top level of every organisation, adding that the management must know that they are vulnerable to disasters.

“Professionals must move to talk to different organisations and incite their management to begin to show commitment to health and Safety”, Badmus said.

   In a lecture titled, ” Performance from Ground Zero to Vision Zero in the Power Industry: The Journey to Safety Excellence,” Badmus lamented over the decay of infrastructure in the power sector.

   He urged that stakeholders in the power industry, especially in the distribution value chain must ensure that safety standards are maintained.

   The incoming President of the association, Rita Obayojie said ASSE would collaborate with stakeholders in the industry and expand its reach for proper advocacy and education across the country.

   Obayojie said the vision zero of the safety and health sector must start with individuals and that individuals must prioritised the Safety of their neighbourhoods.

   According to her, the citizens must wake up to the need to secure themselves and stop leaving everything in the hands of the government.

She lauded the success of the conference, pointing out that the body has been able to sustain its efforts in the sector.

   She said the annual programme has come to stay as a voice for the sector, noting that plans are already in place to involve more private and government organisations in future events.

   “We are working with humanitarian organisations to bring human perspective to safety. Nigeria is a very unique country and we are committed to the Safety of its future”, Obayojie said.