Occupational Health could
be said have started with the Italian doctor Bernadino Ramazzini in the early
part of 18th century when he set into motion a drive for recognition
of the role of occupations in the dynamics of health and disease. Occupational
Health progressed through the rest of the industrial revolution under the title
of industrial medicine, right up to and even after the joint Worlds Health
Organization/International Labour Organization Expert Committee on Occupational
Health defined it and set its objectives at that committee’s first meeting in
1950.
be said have started with the Italian doctor Bernadino Ramazzini in the early
part of 18th century when he set into motion a drive for recognition
of the role of occupations in the dynamics of health and disease. Occupational
Health progressed through the rest of the industrial revolution under the title
of industrial medicine, right up to and even after the joint Worlds Health
Organization/International Labour Organization Expert Committee on Occupational
Health defined it and set its objectives at that committee’s first meeting in
1950.
In relation to Nigeria, the Medical Examining Board of Liverpool Infirmary in
1789 was the first to introduce occupational health service with a view of
taking care of the health of slave traders carrying slaves from Africa to
Britain. Upon the abolition of slave trade, the Royal Niger Company of Britain
which was later change to United African Company (UAC) increased its
exploitation of trading in Nigeria. The company was empowered to administer the
territories by the British Government.
1789 was the first to introduce occupational health service with a view of
taking care of the health of slave traders carrying slaves from Africa to
Britain. Upon the abolition of slave trade, the Royal Niger Company of Britain
which was later change to United African Company (UAC) increased its
exploitation of trading in Nigeria. The company was empowered to administer the
territories by the British Government.
During the British colonial
rule, Colonel Lugard established health services to take care of the health and
welfare of soldiers and other colonial administrators after many of the
expatriate soldiers died of malaria. The Public Health Service was created
during the Second World War after the medical corps was separated to cater for
the military alone. This gave birth to the introduction of some occupational
services in some industries in Nigeria which include pre-employment and
periodic medical examination and treatment of major injuries and ailments.
rule, Colonel Lugard established health services to take care of the health and
welfare of soldiers and other colonial administrators after many of the
expatriate soldiers died of malaria. The Public Health Service was created
during the Second World War after the medical corps was separated to cater for
the military alone. This gave birth to the introduction of some occupational
services in some industries in Nigeria which include pre-employment and
periodic medical examination and treatment of major injuries and ailments.
United African Company and
John Holt (British companies) were the first to introduce the practices of
occupational health in Nigeria. In 1930, Railway, Coal Mines and some other
government establishments provided some forms of occupational health services
to their workers. This gave birth to the promulgation of some labour
legislation such as the Workman’s Compensations Ordinance of 1941 and the
Labour Core Ordinance of 1945. The Labours Ordinances(s) were later replaced by
Workman’s Compensation Decree in 1987 and Labour Decree of 1974 respectively.
John Holt (British companies) were the first to introduce the practices of
occupational health in Nigeria. In 1930, Railway, Coal Mines and some other
government establishments provided some forms of occupational health services
to their workers. This gave birth to the promulgation of some labour
legislation such as the Workman’s Compensations Ordinance of 1941 and the
Labour Core Ordinance of 1945. The Labours Ordinances(s) were later replaced by
Workman’s Compensation Decree in 1987 and Labour Decree of 1974 respectively.
The Ministry of Labour was
created in 1951 with Mr. P.R.G. Britnell as the Chief Inspector of Factories in
Nigeria. In 1955, the Factory Act was enacted and amended in 1958 and was later
replaced by the factory Decree of 1987. In 1968, the first Nigerian professor
of Occupational Health Dr. G. O. Sofoluwe organised the first international
seminar in occupational health for developing countries in Lagos. In 1970s the
society of occupational health physicians of Nigeria was created while the
division of Occupational and Environmental Health was created in 1976 by the
Federal Ministry of Health.
created in 1951 with Mr. P.R.G. Britnell as the Chief Inspector of Factories in
Nigeria. In 1955, the Factory Act was enacted and amended in 1958 and was later
replaced by the factory Decree of 1987. In 1968, the first Nigerian professor
of Occupational Health Dr. G. O. Sofoluwe organised the first international
seminar in occupational health for developing countries in Lagos. In 1970s the
society of occupational health physicians of Nigeria was created while the
division of Occupational and Environmental Health was created in 1976 by the
Federal Ministry of Health.
