No less than 200 construction firms have recently resolved to upgrade the welfare of their staff as well as the potency of their project delivery and service through the inculcation of standardized safety best practices in the country.
The Construction companies resolved to eradicate hazards present in the construction sites during The Big 5 Construct Event which was held recently at the Landmark Center, Lagos.
Since its inception, the Big 5 Construct Nigeria is the largest gathering of the construction and infrastructure community in Nigeria which connects suppliers with quality buyers from across Nigeria and the West African region as well as promoting innovation, sharing cutting-edge knowledge, and accelerating business. Hence it is the biggest event that assembles top stakeholders, and captains of industries from the Building/construction sector to discuss and deliberate on issues pondering on standards as well as modern innovations and prospects for improved, standardized and qualitative service delivery in the sector.
Illuminating the company’s representative, stakeholders as well as delegates on the need to improve their standard of operation as far as Occupational Safety and Health Best practices in concerned, the Regional Administrator of the Occupational Safety and Health Association- Nigeria region, Engr. Emmanuel Uwalaka pointed out the difference between hazards and risk in the Building/construction sector as well as the modalities that are needed in other to prevent/address such occurrences if or when they occur.
In his presentation titled “Strategies of Achieving Safety Best Practices in the Construction Industry”, Engr. Uwalaka itemized the common causes of fatalities and Injuries in the sector which according to him can be duly avoided if proper regulations, as well as adherence to stipulated safety guidelines, are upheld. He also emphasized that it is the responsibility of the management staff of firms r to not only provide all the materials and modalities to ensure the safety of their staff but also enforce regulations that will bring about complete adherence alongside compliance in the long run.
“As an employer, it is important to understand who is responsible for health and safety in the workplace and what actions you can take to ensure the health and safety of your employees, contractors, and others who may be affected by your operational activities,” He said.
He also called on the stakeholders present as well as heads of organizations to key into the National Safety Advocacy project (NSAP 2021-2023) which according to him will not just help them develop their service standards in terms of Health and Safety, but will empower them to also contribute to the development and localization of safety best practices and structures for the benefit of the general public.’
Responding to the charge, the Construction firm’s representatives attested that there is a gap that needs to be bridged urgently in terms of safety localization in the sector. They also noted that the sector being a backbone of the national economy needs to be revamped as this will not only bring about better and safe service delivery during project construction but will see that the welfare of the workforce is improved substantially thus boosting their continence while they go about their productive activities while on site.
OSHAssociation has never relented in ensuring that all sectors are reached out to with the gospel of safety and its best practices. To this extent, the Association has been conducting seminars, training programs, and advocacy campaigns as well as participating in conferences and external events all in its bid to see that the general public starting from stakeholders down to the least of Nigerians are enlightened on the benefit of safety adherence.
The construction and building industry is one of the most critical hazardous environments that expose workers to danger and death if proactive safety measures are established.
On the other hand, the Regional Administrator, Engr. Emmanuel Uwalaka who joined other distinguished Fellows and Directors of the Ministry to felicitate with the newest Fellow of the Institute, during his presentation on the Association’s focus areas and the recently commissioned National Safety Advocacy Project by the Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire at the Association’s 10th International Conference 2020, further appealed to the Ministry to join force with the Association to ensure great result in ensuring that safety culture becomes the way of life in Nigeria.
He further used the opportunity to encourage other Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government as well as private organization to key into the objectives of the National Safety Advocacy Project to ensure the safety of lives especially in this period of the second wave of Covid 19. “We have a lot to offer every organization who is interested in joining the movement”, Engr. Emmanuel said.