Safety experts have stressed the need for labourers and workers across different sectors in the country to imbibe a health and safety culture to reduce incidences of work-related deaths and injuries.
This admonition was echoed at the 11th Nigeria Safety and Security Awards & lecture series organised by the Media Centre for Promotion of Safety Awareness (MCPOSA).
Tagged ‘Impacts of Climate Change on Occupational Health, Safety and Sustainability in Nigeria,’ Vice Chairman, MCPOSA, Fynray Mbata, drew the attention of the audience to its serious impacts on human health and the world of work.
He noted that climate change effects could lead to the deterioration of working conditions, increasing the risk of occupational injury, disease and death.
Mbata said: “To have a sustainable future at work, with better and improved environmental conditions, we need to close ranks to fight the menace of climate change.”
He stressed that mitigating climate change and its effects requires a multi-faceted approach, which will involve various stakeholders.
Some strategies that can be implemented, he mentioned, include strengthening legal frameworks, enhancing law enforcement capacity, promoting environmental sustainability initiatives, collaborating with social media, creating support networks, international cooperation, advocacy and awareness and encouraging actions at mitigating the scourge of climate change.
He urged the government to enact and enforce laws that specially address industrial activities that impact negatively on the environment, as well as irresponsible and unsafe environmental practices.
