Safety body names Lagos best in workplace safety compliance

The Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON) has ranked Lagos State as the leading state in Nigeria in terms of workplace safety compliance and enforcement.

ISPON President, Mr Timothy Iwuagwu, disclosed this during an interview with our correspondent on Thursday in Lagos.

Iwuagwu commended the state for its consistent efforts in promoting safety standards, enforcing compliance, and raising awareness about workplace hazards.

“Lagos has been very instrumental in emphasising the need for safety measures and educating workers on the dangers associated with various occupational risks,” he said.

He noted that many workplace accidents, particularly those involving machinery, were often human-induced and preventable.

“Accidents resulting from machinery operations are unfortunately a daily occurrence. However, with the right level of awareness and training, every accident is preventable,” Iwuagwu added.

“Also, workers in workplaces are often exposed to a myriad of hazards and these hazards carry their effects on the person working, which can be chronic or acute.

“Some of the effects may not manifest instantly but will manifest after a long time of exposure to such environmental situation,” he said.

The president cited the impact of oil drilling and gas flaring on host communities, noting that these activities exposed residents to airborne diseases, sulphur emissions from crude oil, noise pollution, and other environmental hazards.

“Some people, after retiring from work, return home only to fall ill due to prolonged exposure to hazardous work environments,” he said.

“So, the man at work must be protected from the hazards of the work because every work presents its own type of hazards.

“Therefore, it is essential to have qualified personnel to ensure compliance with standard safety policies in workplaces,” he said.

Iwuagwu urged other states to emulate Lagos in enforcing safety measures to reduce workplace hazards and accidents.

He added that ISPON was also playing its part by raising awareness and promoting compliance and enforcement of safety standards across Nigeria.

“We have held conferences in Anambra, Kogi, Rivers, Abuja and has scheduled to hold one in Lagos before the year runs out.

“Without creating awareness, you cannot trigger the consciousness needed for alertness — and that is what the institute stands for: promoting awareness about the importance of safety measures,” he said.

“We have also trained federal agencies such as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the police, as they are key partners in helping the institute fulfill its mandate,” the president added.