Expert advocates safety at workplace, employees’ well- being

To eradicate accidents and work- related issues in workplace, experts have called for the implementation of safety measures and total well- being of employees for optimal performance.

They noted that with the advent of the COVID- 19 pandemic at the workplace, health and safety should not be of employees should not be overlooked as it has increased mental health disorder of most workers.

They urged that organisations must take the wellbeing of their employees seriuoulsy and ensure they are safe as they carry out their tasks.

Chief Executive Officer, Occupational Health and Safety Managers ( OSHM), Ehi Iden, said this ahead of a two- day international vision zero conference, which intends to inculcate a strong prevention culture, whereby work- related accidents, harm and occupational diseases are eliminated and prevented through transformational approach that integrates safety, health and wellbeing at all levels of work.

Slated to hold in Lagos on November 23 to 25, Iden said the maiden conference in Africa with ‘ From Safety and Health

Problems to Practical Solutions in Construction and Related Industries’ as theme, was important in addressing challenges, considering the number of workers and categories of people employed in the construction sector and related sectors.

According to him, accidents at work and occupational diseases are neither predetermined nor unavoidable, they always have cause.

He said while there was no way to completely eliminate accidents accidents, however, there were certain plans, preparations and actions that could be taken to reduce them.

Noting that the partnership is between the German community, through the International Social Security Association ( ISSA), OSH Africa and other organisations, he said:

“This is to bring people from the international community to look at what Africa cannot do differently. Vision zero is dedicated in health safety and wellbeing. The safety industry in Nigeria, health, safety and environment thrives but wellbeing is always silent. And with the pandemic, where mental wellbeing became an important issue, you’ll find out that wellbeing has to be an integral part of workplace ethics.