…LSSC DG Reiterates Commitment to Safer Banking Sector
Bankers in Nigeria have lauded an IOSH workshop hosted by Combined Training Solutions (CTS), aimed at improving HSE compliance standards for the banking sector.
The workshop initiative birthed and launched for the financial sector in 2017 by Funmi Adegbola, CEO CTS, which recently held in Abeokuta Ogun State had representatives of several banks within the South-West region.
The workshop which made great impact and value to them, adding that it proffered solutions towards improving the HSE processes and systems of banking institutions as well as causing them to achieve safety compliance.
HSENations spoke with participants who shared their views and satisfaction about the workshop.
Olufemi Shobogun, who works in the security and safety department of Stanbic IBTC, said that the session was enriching stressing that such knowledge should endeavour to be shared further.
“I will probably advice the organizers to go ahead and spread their tentacles beyond Lagos to Abuja; once they are able to get to Abuja probably get CBN which should be able to get all the banks in Nigeria and probably staff of each of the branches in such a worthy program.”
Ikenna Ukaegbu, Head of Security and Safety, FCMB noted that the training has added value to him and given him an edge over someone who doesn’t have this opportunity to be here.
“It will enable me to practice better as the case may be and would give me the much needed assistance I need to build the desired safety department that we are looking forward to at FCMB; I wish this will be more frequent.”
A member of the sustainability team of Zenith Bank, Health and Safety function, Ayegba Steven Emmanuel, commended the IOSH managing safety course, saying it was an eye opener into practical safety management.
“It was a great experience and what it has done for me is to open my eyes to the practicality of managing safely. Looking at the workplace and you’re asking yourself, what are the hazards and what are the proactive steps to be taken to ensure that people are safe when they come to work, so am confident that going back to work my approach to managing hazards will quickly improve.”
Macaulay Sado from UBA, said he was excited about the opportunity to meet other professionals from the banking sector and commended the program as one of a kind.
“The workshop is one of its kind and I think it should be something to look forward to on a yearly basis. For me, one particular thing that actually I love more about the whole thing is the opportunity to meet with people and at the same time to have time off work and think about bringing new strategies to my workspace.”
The unit head of security, Keystone Bank, Obaseki Joy, in her views, stated that she had taken away a lot of things especially how to do a proper risk assessment.”
She added that she has learnt how to spot hazards at workplace.”I will be taking all the knowledge I learnt back having understood now that safety is everyone’s business,” she said.
For Tolulope Ajayi who works at the Operational Risk Management of Guarantee Trust Bank, she said the program was very enlightening.
“It was very enlighten and had shared a lot more light and how to manage occupational health and safety properly in the workplace.”
In his words, Moradeyo Ogunbiyi, General Services; Real Estate Department of First Bank said, “This program is highly needed in this country because we have a lot of unsafe act, unsafe action and unsafe condition, so things need to be done rightly and correctly.”
According to Amen Andy of Sterling Bank, he emphasized the importance of safety in the sector.
Lauding the programme, he added that, “The training was really good because it added value and it equipped us with knowledge about safety and reasons for safety in the work place, and now we can also defend safety policies and safety plans that we have in our organizations.”
Oladeji Busayo, from First Bank PLC, described the training as an eye-opener, stressing that it had broadened his “knowledge on the risk in my work place in terms of safety and health and how to manage, reduce and control risk in my workplace.”
Another participant from Sterling Bank, Kamal Alatishe, said, “This course has further endeared me to health and safety and I will most likely take up one or two more courses in it.”
For Obi Gerald, who works in the admin services of Providus Bank, he said that he gained experience to manage safely in the areas of health and safety in the work environment.
“The program has been so impactful, I enjoyed myself apart from meeting other people from other banks, I got to know more and the other side of safety, how to get top management involvement and how to manage safety and health effectively, which I think we really need.”
Chilotem Achusi of Access Bank said.
The Regional Facility Manager South West, Union Bank, Seun Adebajo, explained that the programme provided experience to improve safety leadership in the banking sector.
“Getting management engagement in terms of some of the things we could be doing better; some things we’re not doing as well and more or less take on the role as an industry leader in safety and standard within the banking sector.”
Earlier in his remark, the Director General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola, said it was very significant for banks and other financial institutions to comply with health and safety standards to protect the “wellbeing of employees and customers.”
He reitierated the task of LSSC in ensuring that safety education, training and skill development at all levels accross the statethrough continuous awareness and sensitization programmes through offline and online platforms.
“Our role as enforcers is based on ensuring that no-one gets hurt or injured in line of duty. We will like to acknowledge the efforts of several banks that are here today for going the extra-mile in putting safety measures in place in their facilities.”
“I commend the entire banking industry for their commitment to the health, safety and wellbeing of their workers and customers by cooperating and collaborating with the Commission on issues relating to Public Safety across the State as well as the periodic conduct of Statutory Safety Audits.”
He called on banks in Nigeria to support the Commission in improving and maintaining a sustainable safety culture in Nigeria.