The Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria has emphasised the need for more safety professionals in workplaces across the country to match Nigeria’s large population.

The president of the institute, Timothy Iwuagwu, said this in an interview on Sunday in Lagos.

Mr Iwuagwu noted that Nigeria is the only country in Africa with a chartered body in charge of safety management. 

“We are focused on producing results and ensuring the protection of workers at workplaces,” said Mr Iwuagwu.

He therefore noted that the presence of qualified safety professionals would help reduce hazardous incidents in workplaces.

Mr Iwuagwu noted that this was why, in 2022, the government, through the office of the head of service, directed all ministries, departments, and agencies to establish a safety desk to be managed by certified safety professionals.

“We have seen a whole lot of moves from government agencies in compliance and enforcement with safety measures. Government officials are members of the larger society, and therefore cannot afford to be passive in enforcing this kind of policy.

“The government agencies and staff are not immune to the hazards that occur at workplaces, and so far, they have been complying with the safety regulations,” he said.

The president, however, stated that officials would need to attend ISPON to receive training and be equipped with the knowledge and safety management requirements before they could be certified as safety professionals.

According to him, not going through the right channel before working in an organisation as a safety professional is an offence punishable by law.

“The act of the National Assembly clearly states that ISPON shall develop, train, and certify people in any area that borders on health, safety, and environment management.

“The World Health Organisation and International Labour Organisation have their standards for safety measures in protecting the men at work; so every worker must be protected. That is why it is necessary to receive training from a recognised body in charge of such endeavours to meet the requirements of standard safety practices,” Mr Iwuagwu said.

The president, however, noted that some of the conventions from the international bodies could not be adopted directly because they had to first go through our legislative process for domestication.

“When we domesticate such conventions, it means we must establish government agencies to implement and drive the provisions we have adopted. So, ISPON was established with this in mind, and we are expected to work in collaboration with relevant government agencies to regulate safety management in Nigeria,” he said.

(NAN)