The Federal Government has expressed commitment to ensure the highest standards of safety and health practices and procedure in workplaces nationwide for the prevention of work related accidents, injuries, ill health, disabilities and deaths.
Minister of state for Labour and Employment, Senator Donald Omotayo Alasoadura, stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the national stakeholders’ awareness and sensitization workshop on the lifting and allied work equipment (safety) regulations and the Boilers and Pressure Vessel Regulations.
The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, William Alor, noted that it has become necessary in view of the fact that workers are continually exposed to occupational hazards that pose a threat to their safety, health and well-being. He called on stakeholders in the country to intensify efforts towards achieving safety and health practices, adding that every individual has a role to play in this regard.
To this end, he asserted that the process of certification of approved persons and authorized boiler inspectors will continue to involve consultations and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
“Let me assure you that the entire process of training, assessment and certification of competent persons for examination of lifting equipment, boilers and other pressure vessels will continue to be conducted in a highly professional and transparent manner that will ensure credibility and high standard of proficiency,” he said.
The Minister reiterated the need for continuing collaboration and cooperation of all stakeholders as they share common vision towards achieving the highest level of safety and health.
Alasoadura, however assured that the Ministry in line with its mandate in labour safety and health protection will continue to accommodate the interests of all stakeholders in the spirit of social dialogue.
The Permanent Secretary while also giving his remarks during the workshop said that the realization of the occupational safety, health and welfare of the national labour force has remained one of the statutory responsibilities of the ministry.
He pointed out that the Ministry will continue to discharge this responsibility through the enforcement of the Factories Act and its Subsidiary Regulations, promotional activities, advocacy among others geared towards protecting and promoting the safety, health and wellbeing of person at work.
He said, “This is in recognition of the fact that workers are continually exposed to occupational hazards that pose a threat to their safety, health and wellbeing”
Alo explained that the Factories Act provides the minimum requirements for regulating the safety, health and welfare protection of workers against hazardous working environment and conditions, stressing that it was in realization of this limitation that provision was made in section 49 of the act empowering the Minister to issue regulations as the need arises for the purpose of securing the safety, health of workers.
“By that empowerment, the provisions of the act are continually brought in line with the dynamic of the current rapidly changing world of work” he said.
Speaking to our correspondent, the President of the National Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria (NISCN), Cletus Akhigbe, said that since the Regulations have come on stream, Nigeria has assumed a total responsibility to address the issues of health and risks involved in the work places adding that it will improve productivity and create more jobs for the Nigerian citizens.
Innocent Odoh, Abuja
