OHCSF trains over 100 civil servants on occupational safety, healthy work environment
Training
By Kate Obande-Okewu
Abuja, April 19, 2018 (NAN) Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) has trained more than 100 civil servants on occupational safety and healthy work environment for purpose of achieving greater productivity.
Speaking at the opening of the training, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, OHCSF, on Thursday in Abuja described it as“ apt” being a train-the -trainer workshop.
“This one day seminar is timely and an immense support to the steps being taken by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation in preparing the personnel for the task ahead.
“The target is to provide the highest degree of physical, mental and social wellbeing among the workers within their work environment, furthermore to enhance service delivery.
“It is expected that this training will give them necessary knowledge and skills as well as competence needed to enable them carry out their duties effectively.
“We are looking at the general principles concerning safety in the work environment and a little bit more specifics in the area of fire disaster prevention,’’ she said.
She explained that the workshop would equip the participants with hands-on knowledge and skills to prevent hazards as well as address safety issues in the office environment.
The permanent secretary commended Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA), UK, for her kind gesture towards improving the competencies of civil servants in the area of occupational health safety and environment.
In his remarks, OSHA Regional President in Nigeria, Dr Dalhatu Mohammed, described the training as “dynamic and fundamental,” saying that it was the first of its kind in Nigeria.
Mohammed urged participants to take the training seriously, stressing that it would add value to their knowledge on safety.
“Nigerians are not conscious of what safety is, they look at safety from a simple and myopic understanding.
“But with this training, they will begin to have a different conception of what safety is, particularly in the work place,’’ he said.
He explained that the training would create awareness on the importance of a safe working environment as well as change their perception of what safety in the work place entailed.
Contributing, Mr Patrick Pillah, Director, Occupational Health, Safety and Environment, OHCSF, said that the training was aimed at reawakening participants to issues of health and safety at work place.
According to him, participants need to increase their productivity for effective implementation of the Occupational Safety and Health framework.
“The development of a framework for Occupational Safety and Health and its implementation would result in a safe and healthy work environment in the public service with benefits to workers and employers.
“Fostering their self esteem at work, reduced work related stress, improved morale and increased job satisfaction, which would ultimately result in improved commitment to work by civil servants,’’ he said.
The director listed some of the benefits of the training as the enhancement of safe working environment and encouragement of workers to have safety consciousness at all times.
Others are raising employees’ awareness on unsafe behaviours when working, empowering them with the authority to stop the job if it is unsafe and stopping any individual who is behaving in an unsafe way.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the one-day training was organised by the Office of the Head of Service in collaboration with the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA), UK.
The Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) is an international organisation with the aim to promote the development and professional best practices on occupational safety and health worldwide.(NAN)
KTE/OSA/AFA
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Edited by Shittu Obassa/Felix Ajide