By Chioma Obinna

As the world marked this year’s World Day for Safety and Health, stakeholders have called for the promotion of zero hazard in workplace. This is coming on the heels of the urgent call for the review of the country’s Factory Act which governs operational health and safety in Nigeria. In Lagos, stakeholders from the Bank and Health & Safety organisations maintained that health and safety issues are yet to take rightful place in the society.

Speaking at the conference organised by Sterling Bank, the Group Head, Customer Experience Services Group, Mrs Titi Ogundipe emphasised the importance of health and safety in the workplace, adding that as the first bank to adopt health and safety policy in the workplace it takes issues of safety seriously.

In his views, the Chairman, Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria, Commander Timothy Nwaogu who stressed the need for employers of labour to ensure that health status of people are maintain said workers are engaged to earn a living not to earn death.

Nwaogu who disclosed that this year’s theme centred on “Joining in Building A Culture of Prevention in Occupational Safety and Health,” said companies like Sterling Bank should designate a percentage of their profits to health and safety awareness in the workplace and in the communities.

On his part, Executive Director, Safety Advocacy & Empowerment Foundation, Engr. Jamiu Bamos also urged the Federal Government to sign in to law the Occupational Health and Safety Bill (OHSB 2008) Bill before the National Assembly into law saying, the factory act which is presently being used has become obsolete.

“This bill has been in the House since 2008, passing from one government to another. We want the government to look into it and sign the Bill because the Bill will help set up health and safety in the proper way that it is done in the best practices and it will create more employment for health and safety professionals. Badmos, who also commended government for signing the law on the Employee Compensation Act (2010), stated that though it is a good law but reactive in nature. “It is reactive in the sense that you compensate after an accident has happened. You can see the theme of the whole Health and Safety is: Preventive. It is a preventative culture and not a reactive culture,” he insisted.

Sterling Bank Group Head, Strategy& Communication, Mr. Shina Atilulu who enumerated what the bank has put in place in regard to health & safety said: “Safety is a top priority in our environment. Every month there is a particular focus on prevention. There are safety checks all around our environment. We practice and we ensure that we keep our staff updated. We have designed something like our logo you put behind your car from afar people can see that there is a car coming.”

The Bank’s Head, Health, Safety & Environment, Mr. Benjamin Ighomereho who stated that the Bank sees health and safety as an important aspect of business, added that, health and safety is not just for the manufacturing and oil companies but financial institutions are also conscious of the safety measures.   “We ensure that all staff has all safety materials before you do anything for us.”

In his own views, Country Director, Health & Safety, LAFARGE, Engr. Tukur stressed the need to bring stakeholders together to synergise in order to drive environmental management system, hence the need to take issues of health & safety beyond construction and oil companies.