A reminder to work safe

SIR: At the end of each workday, an evaluative question should be, were you safe today or just lucky?It is no news that manyworkers have been injured or disabled because of work-related accidents while others have contracted diseases or lost their lives at work.

According to the Joint International Labour Organisation/ World Health Organisation (ILO/WHO) Committee, occupational health is the promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations. Occupational health formerly called industrial medicine is an aspect of public health. It combines medicine, research and advocacy to maintain a healthy workplace.

Each workplace drafts its occupational health and safety policy according to the risks involved. The implementation of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) policy provides a safe environment for workers, manages people with disabilities, improves workers morale and reduces absenteeism and staff turnover.

There is need for reviews, research and training in order to monitor and improve the OHS policy in any workplace. It should be noted that OHS concerns every worker including corporate workers and petty traders. The commitment of Nigerian government to OHS led to the development of a National Occupational Health and Safety profile which adequately guides employers and workers.

However, the need for more awareness and sensitisation campaigns especially for small-scale businesses, adequate training of workers and enforcement of the policy by regulatory agencies cannot be overemphasised.

Institutions like International Labour Organisation (ILO), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FMLE), and Nigeria Institute of Safety Professionals (NISP) are top-tiers to ensure the cooperation of employers and implementation of OHS in Nigeria.

Occupational diseases vary from work to work and may range from respiratory illnesses to musculoskeletal disorders, haematological diseases and cancer.

Notwithstanding the risks of diseases and injuries, a worker can stay safe on the job by adhering to set protocols governing the workplace and participating in OHS training. The employer on the other hand provides a safe work environment, evaluates, promotes and improves the OHS policy.

It is said that safety is everyone’s responsibility, so the government at all levels, occupational medicine specialists, private OHS experts, employers and workers should synergise and create a safer work environment.
Dr. Elina Ugwu can be reached via [email protected].