By Kemi Olatunde

A safety practitioner, Mr. Dapo Omolade has called on Nigerians to embrace the revised national Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) policy in order to acquire the desired change needed in the health and safety dynamics in Nigeria.
He also called on labour leaders to work towards the safety of their members through safety strike action
He made the call while delivering a lecture on “revised national OSH policy 2020: from signature to implementation” during the national safety conference 2020 by Occupational Safety Society of Nigeria (OSSN) in Akure yesterday.
According to him, it is important that Nigerians make government go beyond planning but make proper implementation of the policy.
He explained that labour leaders should embark on strike action towards securing a safe workplace for their members.
While noting that the policy gives room for revenue generation, he stated that people should begin to make noise in the workplace in order to elongate their lives.
He lamented the lackadaisical attitude of business owners in the country and charged that people look out for the document in order to know their right.
Making a comparison of the old policy which was signed in 2006 with the new policy, he described the new policy as robust enough to make things happen in Nigeria noting that the “scope of the new policy covers 26 key aspects.”
Omolade who stated that development comes with antecedent risk for everybody stressed the need for things to be done rightly so as not to substitute lives for development.
He however called on OSH professionals to understand their role in ensuring a safe workplace and work with all relevant and quoted stakeholders to achieve a workplace.
Speaking earlier in his remarks, OSSN president, Pastor Kolawole Praiseworth described the organisation as one involved in designing, developing and delivery of programme in the management of risk and accident control.
According to him, it aimed at becoming a motivation force to promote health in public structure for the protection of lives and properties.
While soliciting government support, he described the treatment of people with dignity as safety.
In his address representative of the President Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Ondo state secretary of NLC, Comrade Festus Omokehinde noted that the union gives priority to safety of members in order to secure a good future with their work.
While saluting the convener of the conference, he lamented the weaknesses in the contry’s systems which according to him has been exposed by COVID-19 pandemic and mentioned safety of our work and our safety at work as the two important things for the new normal.
He called on all to think of better ways to work and learn new skills so as to remain relevant and added that people should take precautions by following all laid down rules to protect their health.