OHCSF trains desk officers in MDAs on occupational safety and health measures

In a bid to realize the objective of Pillar 6 of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021 – 2025 (FCSSIP 25) which is to enhance value proposition for civil servants through improved staff welfare, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation has commenced the training of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Desk Officers in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government (MDAs). This was contained in a statement signed by Olatunji John, for Director Communications.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, CFR, while declaring open the 3-day training programme with the theme: Fostering a Safe, Conducive and Healthy Work Environment for Civil Servants, stated that the workshop is aimed at equipping officers with the necessary tools to enable them deliver effectively on their duties as well as enhance their degree of performance in accomplishing the task of policy formulation and nation building.

In her keynote address, Dr. Yemi-Esan, CFR, further stated that the National Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Policy approved by the Federal Executive Council, 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 to promote international best practices in OSH for workers in all Government establishment.

According to her, ‘’this approval has propelled the Office to direct all MDAs to establish or resuscitate Occupational Safety and Health Desks in their offices, which is to be manned by staff who will be trained to discharge the responsibilities of coordinating the implementation of OSH activities in these MDAs’’.

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The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, who was ably represented by the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office (CSO) -OHCSF, Alhaji Mahmud Adam Kambari, maintained that the training will help OSH Desk Officers understand the approved practices and safety expectations within their work environment, as well as expose them to a wide range of topics on Occupational Health, Safety and Environment Management, adding that this will assist in coordinating the implementation of OSH activities in their various MDAs.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Director, Occupational Safety and Health, OHCSF, Dr. Comfort Adeosun congratulated participants and encouraged them to take full advantage of the training programme, which will be inspiring and life transforming with presentations expected to improve the safety and consciousness.

She stated further that the National OSH Policy, which was published and revised in 2020 is to ensure work place safety and health, a concept which every organization must deploy to enhance productivity and effective performance.

Dr. Adeosun assured that the 3-day Occupational Safety and Health training programme for OSH Desk Officers service wide, will no doubt lead to better coordination and implementation in all the MDAs.

The programme witnessed different presentations from OSH experts and professionals on; Foundation in Occupational Safety and Health; Workplace Health and Safety; Roles and Responsibilities of an OSH Desk Officer, Mental Health in Workplace and Hazard Identification and Risk Control in Workplace. Others presentation by Resource persons centered on Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders, Safety in Workplace: Risk Assessment, Workplace Ergonomics and Awareness Analysis, Personal Protective Equipment, Fire Safety and Preventive Procedures.