NSITF advocates promotion of safety culture in workplace

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust (NSITF) has stressed the need to uphold a safety culture in the workplace anchored on increased awareness and compliance with regulations.

Managing Director of the Fund, Oluwaseun Faleye, stated this in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the Occupational Safety and Health Association of Nigeria (OSHA).

He highlighted the role of advocacy and continuous training as a panacea for a safer and healthier work environment in Nigeria.

Faleye explained the importance of safety at the workplace, noting: “In promoting a safety culture and protecting workers, particularly through employee compensation schemes, collaboration among stakeholders is deemed essential for developing training programmes and establishing workplace safety standards.”

He expressed his commitment to enhancing health and safety initiatives in Nigeria and encouraged joint efforts to improve training and knowledge sharing.
In his opinion, the overall goal is to create a safer work environment and ensure the well-being of the workforce.

On the planned collaboration, the NSITF boss expressed happiness, saying: “This is a privilege and a vital collaboration relating to Occupational Safety, health initiatives in the country and also our areas of possible collaboration. Indeed, I am very glad to hear of all of your efforts to deepen health and safety awareness across Nigeria in terms of your penetration countrywide.

“I am also very happy to hear of your efforts, particularly your legislative efforts, which will help deepen the scope of occupational safety and health in the country.

“Indeed, as you know, it will need to be domesticated by way of legislation. I believe that with the legislation, the advocacy and the awareness that the association and other key stakeholders undertake, we can only both continue to deepen the culture of health and safety in Nigeria.”

Earlier, the National Coordinator of the association, Captain Uwalaka Godbest, said his team visited the NSITF to discuss the efforts of the OSHA in Nigeria towards the promotion of health and safety in various organisations.

He highlighted the association’s achievements in establishing health and safety protocols, including the introduction of OSHA desk officers in ministries to ensure compliance and training.

He said the association desired to partner with other organisations to enhance training programmes and improve workplace safety culture.

According to him, the emphasis on collaboration for further training initiatives underscores the importance of health and safety in light of recent incidents in Nigeria.