LASG RESTATES COMMITMENT TO SAFETY IN CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES
Lagos State government has restated its commitment to the safety of Lagosians in workplaces, especially in chemical industries, just as it implored residents to cooperate with the government by adhering to safety precautions aimed at addressing important safety measures in the State.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Special Duties & Inter-Governmental Relations , Dr. Jemilade Longe, who was represented by the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mrs. Basirat Akinsanya made the plea at the official opening of a sensitization workshop organized by the Lagos State Safety Commission in collaboration with Didomi Company Limited, today in Ketu, Lagos.
According to him, the State Government in its giant stride targeted at achieving a safer environment and healthier citizenry will continue to train and retrain safety officials until its desired goal is achieved.
The Director-General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Hakeem Dickson represented by the Director, Safety Training and Education, Mr. Adebiyi Adeyinka disclosed that the sensitization programme was organized to enlighten stakeholders on precautionary and preventive measures to take in order to drastically reduce industrial chemical hazards.
He enlightened the stakeholders on proper handling of industrial chemicals at manufacturing, producing, marketing and usage level while also canvassing for proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
The Guest Lecturer at the event, Engineer Bayo Ayanga disclosed that chemicals in any form can be safely stored, handled and used if their hazardous physical and chemical properties are fully understood while adhering to necessary precautions and safeguard measures.
Ayanga advised proper usage of Safety Data Sheet (SDS), being chemical information sheet provided by manufacturers or suppliers of chemicals stating the identity, properties, uses, precaution for use and safe handling procedures of a hazardous chemical.
He called on Lagosians to cultivate the habit of reading instructional manuals as it will guide and tell how suitable a chemical is for use.
Another speaker at the event, Mr. Daniel Daniel, in his lecture titled “Safety Training: A Sustainable Way to Develop a Healthy and Safety Culture” reiterated the importance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), stressing that employees should have good understanding of the safety equipment and their use so that they can make effective use of them and minimize accident.
He added that when employees have the knowledge and skill needed to do their job safely, the risk of workplace injuries and illnesses is greatly reduced or eliminated.