Yemisi Izuora
Benin Electricity Distribution Plc (BEDC) recently partnered with the World Safety Organization (WSO), Nigeria office to mark the World Safety Day with the Safety Manager, Gilbert Nweke stressing that data collection on work-related accidents and diseases is very important for analyzing and preventing accidents and occupational diseases at the workplace.
Speaking at the World Safety Day 2017, held at Oba Akenzua Hall, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH),Benin, Nweke said however that to realize this objective, there is need to upgrade recording and notification systems of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) data collection and analysis at national level.
“Maintaining data integrity is very crucial for setting priorities and raising national and workplace preventive programmes. When the national record keeping and notification systems have been skillfully upgraded, it will be easier to harmonize with the global data collection and analysis system systems for purposes of preventing accidents and monitoring the extent of progress made in this regard” he remarked.
The BEDC Safety Manager listed sources of OSH data collection to include; accident reporting, employees, workers union police, Federal Road Safety Corps and other law enforcement agents, hospital sources and insurance.
Nweke said BEDC is statutorily required to report any incident/accident occurrence to Nigerian Electricity Regulations Commission (NERC) and the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) adding that the company has an obligation to forward preliminary accident report to NERC, while final detailed investigation report is expected within four weeks of the incident.
According to the Safety Manager, good and reliable OSH data could be optimized to improve performance monitoring, productivity and profitability, adding “It ensures that target setting follows a given trend. It enhances budget planning and can be used to determine safety awards / bonus using statistical evidence of Safety performance”.
Among safety measures adopted by BEDC are; monthly safety meetings, fire simulation / drill being conducted in each Business Units, safety inspection by MD/CEO and team visits to BU’s, and the fencing of distribution substations across all business units, hinting that the company has concluded work on a Safety Handbook that will soon be made available to the public.
BEDC it will be recalled has demonstrated commitment to health, safety and environmental protocols within the workplace including: systematic management of occupational health and safety; injury management (including return-to-work programs); and systematic identification, assessment and control strategies for hazards.
The company has equally demonstrated best-practice approaches and achievements in health, safety and environmental management, which may include: improved efficiency and ability to identify and abate unsafe conditions and practices; elimination of or reduction in hazards and/or exposures, accidents, injuries or fatalities; leadership in fostering timely and safe return to work; solutions to a specific safety management problem or significant safety program improvement; increased safety knowledge, skills or awareness within the workforce through program communication; implementation of effective safety and health resourcing strategies.
According to the Safety Manager “we emphasize developing and creating a safety culture inclusive of all employees and activities in consultation with relevant workplace parties (e.g. employees, third-party contractors, management, unions, etc.) and, where appropriate, with outside organizations.