Occupational Health and
Safety Services (OHSS) refer to those services in the industry designed to
ensure the promotion maintenance and improvement of the health of all the
workers in the industry. According to the Law of the Federation of Nigeria
(1990) Factory Act, the aim of the OHSS in Nigeria is to prevent illness and
injuries caused or aggravated by work and to promote the physical, mental and
social well being of workers in all kinds of occupation. In Nigeria, experience
has shown that most of the larger industrial organisations, but relatively few
of the smaller ones have OHSS, which are quite independent of the national
health services.
Safety Services (OHSS) refer to those services in the industry designed to
ensure the promotion maintenance and improvement of the health of all the
workers in the industry. According to the Law of the Federation of Nigeria
(1990) Factory Act, the aim of the OHSS in Nigeria is to prevent illness and
injuries caused or aggravated by work and to promote the physical, mental and
social well being of workers in all kinds of occupation. In Nigeria, experience
has shown that most of the larger industrial organisations, but relatively few
of the smaller ones have OHSS, which are quite independent of the national
health services.
While the employers and
employed according to Chamber’s Encyclopaedia (1970) need first to understand the
importance of occupational health in promoting efficiency as well as preventing
sickness and injury. Successful development depends ultimately on training and
inspiring doctors, nurses and health workers to work in these services.
Industrial legislations, aimed at protecting workers are embodied in the
Nigerian States (Asogwa, 1978). But the problem is that owners of industrial
establishments, particularly managers of plants are either ignorant or pretend
not to be aware of these aspects of the law. This situation is further
compounded by the ignorance of an uninformed and largely illiterate labour
force, unaware of the legal requirements but take advantage of either the
ignorance of the workers or the inability of the government to enforce the law.
employed according to Chamber’s Encyclopaedia (1970) need first to understand the
importance of occupational health in promoting efficiency as well as preventing
sickness and injury. Successful development depends ultimately on training and
inspiring doctors, nurses and health workers to work in these services.
Industrial legislations, aimed at protecting workers are embodied in the
Nigerian States (Asogwa, 1978). But the problem is that owners of industrial
establishments, particularly managers of plants are either ignorant or pretend
not to be aware of these aspects of the law. This situation is further
compounded by the ignorance of an uninformed and largely illiterate labour
force, unaware of the legal requirements but take advantage of either the
ignorance of the workers or the inability of the government to enforce the law.
The Nigerian industries can
be subdivided based on size, into three classes;
be subdivided based on size, into three classes;
1. Small scale, employing 50
or less workers.
or less workers.
2. Medium scale employing 51 –
1,000 workers.
1,000 workers.
3. Large scale employing more
than 1,000 workers.
than 1,000 workers.
Forms of Occupational Health and Safety Services (OHSS)
|
Size of Industry
|
Features of OHSS
|
|
Small scale
|
First aid, use of
government, mission and private hospital, clinics and rural health centres. |
|
Medium scale
|
Same as small industries
or group |
|
Large scale
|
Independent hospital or
clinic, well equipped having preventive and operative facilities. |
Occupational Health and Safety Services Required for Nigerian
Industries.
Industries.
1. Health education services.
2. First aid services.
3. Keeping statistic of health
problems
problems
4. Presence of ambulances.
5. Medical examination:
i.) Pre-employment medical
examinations.
examinations.
ii.) Pre-placement medical
examinations
examinations
iii.) Periodic medical
examination
examination
6. Presence of factor medical
personnel
personnel
i.) Doctors
ii.) Nurses
7.) Immunization exercises
8.) Treatment of workers’
dependents
dependents
9.) Recording of
accidents/deaths.
accidents/deaths.
10.) Resting room for
workers.
workers.
11.) Toilet facilities.
12.) Dining room (canteen).
13.) Protective
clothing/devices (aprons, boots, goggles, ear muff, etc.)
clothing/devices (aprons, boots, goggles, ear muff, etc.)
14.) Notification of
accidents to factory inspectorate muffs etc.
accidents to factory inspectorate muffs etc.
15.) Epidemiological survey
of workers.
of workers.
16.) Environmental
measurements/impact assessment.
measurements/impact assessment.
17.) Ventilation of the
factory.
factory.
18) Cleanliness of the
workshop (e.g. allowance for sweeping and washing of the floor).
workshop (e.g. allowance for sweeping and washing of the floor).
19.) Management concerned
with the individual workers protection (e.g. overseeing to the correct use of
protective materials).
with the individual workers protection (e.g. overseeing to the correct use of
protective materials).
20.) Management concerned
with the personal cleanliness of workers.
with the personal cleanliness of workers.
21.) Occupational safety
seminar/workshop.
seminar/workshop.