World Safety Day: NSITF preaches safe, healthy environment at workplaces

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), has said that a safe and healthy working environment can only guarantee better output from workers of which will lead to business prosperity.

Every 28th of April is a day set aside by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), to appraise and forge ahead in the quest to ensure better safety and health standards particularly in workplaces worldwide.

Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), being the sole agency responsible for the implementation of the Employees’ Compensation Act 2010, which is geared towards providing social protection in terms of compensation to employees and their dependants for injuries, disabilities, diseases and death sustained during or in course of work; views campaign for safety as cogent and expedient in ensuring that workplaces and environment are safe for daily activities.

Speaking on the commemoration of this year’s World Safety Day with the theme:”A Safe And Healthy Working Environment A Fundamental Human Right”, Mr Gbenga Onifade, who spoke on behalf of the Regional Manager, NSITF, Ibadan Region, during a ceremony held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Friday, stated that government and private organisations should try as much as possible to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for their employees.

Onifade further noted that workers themselves also have a very important role to play by making sure that they practice safety at all time. He said prioritising safety will reduce workplace accident to the bearest minimum and also allows them to enjoy their life injury-free after active service.

Speaking on the importance of taking the campaign to the informal sector of the economy, Onifade stated that:”NSITF is fully into this safetry business, the informal sector of the economy which comprises majorly artisans, there is a provision for them.

“We interract with them through their associations, the World Safety Day afford us a greater opportunity of letting them aware of the importance of safety while discharging their duties.The road show we had today is specially dedicated for them.”

Also, the Regional Head, HSE, Mr Gbenga Oso, said this year’s World Safety Day theme is supported by the Nigeria 1999 Constitution as amended Section 17.3c and other Acts globally.

The high point of the event was a safety-based lecture delivered by Mr Imoisili Obinyan, of the Institute of Safety Professional of Nigeria, in which he took the staff of NSITF, Ibadan Regional office on behavious-based safety among other topics.