By: Victory Bernard
Safety Professionals and members of the Nigerian Chapter of American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP NC) have called for next level policies to be instituted in the areas of human and public safety in the workplace.
This is as a New Administration led by a New President, Alhaji Shehu Kabir, was anointed at the Annual Handover Ceremony which took place in Abuja on July 3rd, 2021.
In his Acceptance Speech, the 2021/2022 Elected President Kabir said that it marked the “beginning of a new tenure and a continuation of the outgoing regime”, while assuring that he was committed and dedicated to the cause of human and environmental safety which is the major cause of ASSP.
While stating the responsibilities laden with a member of ASSP, he said, “We will continue to work hard to advance the profession and the individuals who choose it by supporting their efforts to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities. Our members serve on federal committees, support key safety, health and environmental legislation, participate in international safety and health efforts, and raise awareness of OSH with the public.”
Kabir in his speech honored the impact of his parents who he claimed imbibed in him the culture of safety; as he also extended appreciation to past presidents in ASSP-NC, for their roles, which he said had impact on him in his professional experience.
He further lauded the Immediate Past administration for it’s successful accomplishments and for creating a well-written Strategy-Plan that would provide a strong blueprint for the future of ASSP in Nigeria.
Calling on the New President to advance ASSP-NC’s motion, a Past President, Nsikak Ekam, expressed the need for the present administration to take a cue from the past and extend its impact at national and global level.
“The new President has both President Mercy and Area Director Engineer Kamil to leverage on as he moves ASSP NC to the next level. ASSP global Region IX area Director is a Nigeria based. Nigeria will be seeing more involvement from Global and Regional ASSP. The new President, Shehu Kabir will sustain and build on Mrs Mercy Irefo achievement,” he said.
Process Safety Engineer and a member of ASSP, Emmanuel Okudor, said that he was expectant of greater initiatives from the new president while noting the need for the new administration to look into increasing safety awareness.
“One would expect him to exceed expectations. He has to exceed the performance of the past President. In doing that, he needs to tap into the already established programmes.”
“He should bring in other things different or improve on existing programmes. He should bring in other initiatives that will create more awareness. Public safety is also another area that they should look into. The current administration should learn from history,” he said.
A member of the newly elected Administration and current National Secretary, ASSP-NC, Victor Egbe, while emphasizing on areas of challenge in the safety sector that required needed attention, stressed the importance of behavioural safety in the workplace.
While noting his believe in the new president to drive ASSP-NC forward, he said, “The president has a vision that will guide the direction of the next administration.”
“I also think the issue of behavioural safety should be taken into consideration. Our organizations today may provide good equipment and good environment to work safe, but yet we still have accidents,” he added.
“This brings us back to the individuals who are working. Do they have the right frame of mind when carrying out their tasks? Even if they are given the best equipment and the best environment to work with, behavioural safety is a key area that safety professionals need to start looking into. It will help us to achieve more in our workplace,” Egbe said.