NSITF sensitise employers investing on occupational safety, health

By Ahmed Ahmed

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSIFT) has sensitised employers on investing in resilient occupational safety and health (OSH).

Mr Bino Okonweze, Deputy General Manager, Health Safety and Environment (HSE) stated this at the 2021 annual occupational safety and health awareness Programme for North East on Saturday in Bauchi.

He encouraged all employers to invest in a resilient OSH system as a preventive measure for accident occurrence.

Mr Okonweze said the theme “enhancing productivity through prevention of workplace accidents and promotion of occupational safety and health” focused on strategies to strengthen the OHS system.

“To build resilience to face crises now and in the future, deducing from lessons and experiences encountered from the world of work,” he said.

Okuweze,said it was vital to imbibe the culture of safety and health and it must be strictly adhered to at the workplace to allow workers return to their families in good health at the close of work.

“Safety at work is also safety at home because if you are not safe at work, you are not at home either.

“To ensure we accomplish a workplace free of occupational hazards, diseases and accidents in this new normal,

“Workers and offices must see safety and health in the workplace as a way of life and ensure to promote a harm free environment.” The DGM said.

Mrs Arowosafe Bukola, facilitator in her presentation reiterated that NSITF is committed to promoting a preventive safety and health culture.

“To enable employees and employers fulfil their responsibility of preventing deaths, injuries and diseases in the workplace.

“NSITF, which has a profound interest and mandate in the welfare of the employees,” she said.

Mrs Bukola also explained that Behavior based safety is a safety management system that specifies exactly which behaviors are required for each employee.

“A good safety management system but has control in place to determine if employee behavior exists as a routine in the work environment,” Bukola said.

On his part Mr John Oleke, also a facilitator, explained NSITF proactively engaged stakeholders in ensuring the safety of employees in the workplace through its mandate of promoting the enforcement of occupational safety and health standards in the workplace.”

According to our constitution, we are to liaise with other health stakeholders to create awareness and promote safety and health in the workplace.

He said most registered employers whose employees are captured with NSITF continuously enjoy medical expenses refund, disability benefits, death benefits, loss of productivity benefits and rehabilitation.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, Mr Mike Amaliku from Lys Academic Bauchi appreciated NSITF for creating the awareness of safety and health.

He said the presentation gives the participants the opportunity to go back to their Organisation and relate the ideas and benefits of investing in safety and health.