Following the directive to all MDAs to establish OSH Desk and appoint officers, the Federal Government through the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan has charged heads of Ministry, Department, and Agencies (MDAs) to prioritise a healthy working environment for their staff to enhance effective service delivery and avoid absenteeism and presenteeism.
The Three Day Training Programme for Occupational Safety and Health (Osh) Desk Officers, Themed: Fostering A Safe Conducive and Healthy Work Environment For Civil Servants was held in Abuja at Nigeria Army Resource Center, Mambilla Barracks Junction, Asokoro between 4th to 6th July, 2023.
The head of civil service who was represented by the permanent secretary of the Service Welfare Office, Alhaji Mahmud Kambari, noted that a healthy workforce in any organization translates to increase productivity, longevity and better relationship.
Note that this was held in compliance with “The National Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Policy approved by the Federal Executive Council, which mandated the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) to ensure the provision of safe, conducive and healthy work environment and promote international best practices for workers in all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of Government.
The head of civil service further said that the training programme was therefore organised to equip OSH Desk Officers with the requisite knowledge to discharge the responsibilities of coordinating the implementation of OSH activities in their MDAs. “It is to also help OSH Desk Officers understand the approved practices and safety expectations within their work environment.
“A healthy workforce results in increased productivity therefore providing a healthy work environment which guarantees the safety of workers should be paramount to all.”
The Regional Administrator of OSHAssociation, Nigeria Region, Engr Dr Emmanuel Uwalaka , who was a guest speaker amongst others at the training, while speaking , decried the high number of death being recorded among civil servants. He described the situation as alarming. The OSH Desk officers were urged to take deliberate efforts to prevent workplace accidents and illness to promote healthy well-being among civil servants.
