Feature

Importance of engaging SOEHPON to safeguard workplace in Nigeria

By Clifford Ejenavi The importance of occupational and environmental health practice in Nigeria cannot be overstated, especially as the country continues to industrialize and diversify its economy. This field plays a vital role in protecting workers, ensuring safe workplaces, and promoting environmental sustainability. Since 1978, the Society of Occupational and Environmental Health Physicians of Nigeria…

by: admin

2 months ago

168

No Comments

By Clifford Ejenavi

The importance of occupational and environmental health practice in Nigeria cannot be overstated, especially as the country continues to industrialize and diversify its economy. This field plays a vital role in protecting workers, ensuring safe workplaces, and promoting environmental sustainability.

Since 1978, the Society of Occupational and Environmental Health Physicians of Nigeria (SOEHPON), have been playing a critical role in improving workplace health and safety in Nigeria across various sectors to protect workers’ health and lives. This is because workers are exposed to various occupational hazards such as noise, dust, chemicals, and machinery.

SOEHPON mission is to produce a healthy workforce in a safe working environment by setting, promoting and protecting best standards of practice and training in occupational and environmental health in Nigeria.

Occupational and environmental health practice helps identify, assess, and control these hazards, preventing workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths. A healthy workforce is more productive, engaged, and reliable to improve productivity and economic growth.

Reducing absenteeism due to occupational illnesses directly boosts economic performance and organizational efficiency. Common conditions like silicosis, asbestosis, occupational asthma, skin diseases, and repetitive strain injuries can be minimized or prevented through occupational and environmental health programmes. Early detection through regular health surveillance will reduce the burden on Nigeria’s healthcare system.

According to the President of SOEHPON, Dr. Musa Shaibu, the media has a major role to play, and therefore called for full collaboration and support in achieving the lofty objectives of the Society. He identified the negative impact of health hazards in the informal sector in Nigeria and emphasized that SOEHPON is poised at taking occupational health awareness particularly to the informal sector.

Occupational and environmental health practice helps monitor and control the environmental impacts of industrial and commercial activities. Prevents air, water, and soil pollution that can affect both human health and the ecosystem.

For SOEHPON to achieve desired results, there’s need for legal and regulatory compliance to encourage compliance with local laws, hence the clamour for a review of the 1990 Labour Act in line with international standards (e.g., ILO, WHO). This will help organizations avoid fines, sanctions, or shutdowns due to non-compliance.

While stating emphatically that SOEHPON is committed to help Nigeria grow to become a society of consciousness of laws due to poor enforcement, Dr. Shaibu called on the National Assembly to review the National Occupational Health and Safety Bill of 2012, termed ‘Labour Safety Health and Welfare Law’ which supposed to enforce the counsel for Occupational Health and Safety in Labour Act, which is part of the International Labour Organisation, to embrace enforcement.

Furthermore, this will help emergency preparedness and risk reduction to ensure workplaces are prepared for emergencies such as chemical spills, fires, gas leaks, and disease outbreaks. It will also help reduce the risk of catastrophic events and promotes business continuity.

To promote mental health and psychosocial well-being, occupational health practice will address stress, burnout, depression, and anxiety related to work environments. It will promote a culture of mental wellness and support.

For workplace equity and social responsibility, it will promote safe working conditions for vulnerable groups like women, youth, and people with disabilities. It will supports corporate social responsibility by prioritizing health, safety, and environmental stewardship.

Occupational and environmental exposures often spill into communities. Therefore, effective occupational and environmental health practice will reduce the burden of disease on the general population, improving national public health outcomes.

Occupational and Environmental Health practice is essential for building a resilient, healthy, and sustainable workforce in Nigeria. By investing in it, Nigeria can reduce health risks, enhance productivity, and ensure long-term economic and social development.

Author: admin

NUC approves two new programmes for LASU

ACHIEVER: Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr: Efficient leadership at the helm of NELFUND