Lagos to enforce occupational safety in workplaces

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State says his administration is ready to enforce occupational safety guidelines in work places, as the safety of residents of the state can no longer be taken for granted.

Sanwo-Olu stated this at the Lagos State Occupational Safety and Health Conference organised by the Lagos State Safety Commission to mark this year’s World Day for Safety.

He said: “We will ensure strict enforcement of safety rules and guidelines that are geared towards making the workplace safe and hazard free.’’

Represented by his commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Tayo Bamgbose-Martins, the governor assured that the state would continue to work to secure all residents by developing a virile health and safety system responsive to any emergency.

“With the challenges we have faced in the health sector in the face of this global pandemic, we are now more resolute and committed to develop a health system that is more efficient and responsive in dealing with any epidemic or pandemic that may occur in the future.

“In Lagos, we have put in place strategies and initiatives to ensure the delivery of safety measures ahead of whatever crisis we might be confronted with in any sector of the economy,” he said.

The director-general/CEO, Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC), Lanre Mojola, said the hazards of work related accidents and illness which are caused by unsafe conditions acts and practices, call for the need for countries to deliberately put health and safety systems in place to change the narrative.

He noted that as a responsive government, the state is charged with providing regulations and laws required to ensure that workers can discharge their duties in a safe and conducive manner

He assured that the commission would keep to spreading the message of safety, mentioning that “it is only a safer Lagos that can guarantee the attainment of a greater Lagos.”

According to him, the COVID-19 has given rise to numerous unparalleled challenges globally and put to test existing protocols on safety and health in the workplace.

“Governments, organisations and workers have been forced to think outside the box and develop new methods of work to remain productive and adjust to new reality which we call the new normal,” he said.