Africa To Benefit From IOSH ‘No Time To Lose’ Campaign

Africa is set to benefit from the “No Time to Lose” campaign flagged off recently by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).

The project is in a bid to promote safety and health in the workplace across all nations hence, unveiling the Africa edition here in Nigeria.

The no time to lose campaign was part of activity at the institution’s West Africa conference which took place recently at the Lagos Oriental Hotel with stakeholders in the health and safety sector in attendance.

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Speaking on the advocacy project, Mr. Kayode Fowode, IOSH Vice- President, said, exposure at work to carcinogenic substances is one of the biggest causes of avoidable cancer in adult. An estimated 46, 500 people die each year in Africa as a result of their occupational exposure to carcinogens such as asbestos and diesel engine exhaust emissions.

Fowode said, ” The campaign is a wake up call for professionals and everyone as stakeholders to be proactive in working together to fight occupational Cancer. Research shows that Thousands of men and women risk getting lung, skin, or bladder Cancer because of their jobs and many will die early as a result. ”

He said the global safety body is proud to be working in collaboration with the Lagos State Safety Commission to make this campaign a success.”

The IOSH Head of Global Engagement and Partnership, Alan Stevens, reiterating on the no time to lose campaign said the body is doing everything within its powers to promote this campaign. He said IOSH has been able to reach millions of working people globally through practical guidance and tools to help organizations manage the risks of exposure to workplace carcarcinogens

” Our organization and the Lagos State Safety Commission are campaigning to stop thousands of untimely deaths due to work- related cancer. Most employers and workers are not aware of the impact of cancer-causing exposures. And many don’t know what to do to reduce the risk.

Ekohotblog understands that the ‘No Time to Lose’ campaign is working to get the causes of occupational cancer more widely understood and help businesses take action.” He said.

According to the Director General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, he said the campaign is well- thought out initiative to reduce workplace ill-health which many are not aware of.

He said the commission as part of being proactive has partnered with IOSH Global and its national body to increase advocacy in this regard.

Mojola said the agency already has an action plan to be carried out under the 4Es program of the agency which are Evaluation of risk, Education, Engagement and Enforcement.”

“Lagos State Government and her safety agency is proud to be associated with IOSH in the drive to ensure standards in the safety profession.”

Some of the dignitaries who were in attendance at the conference include; Bev Messinger, Chief Executive, IOSH, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, Attorney General and Lagos State Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Ifeoma Anyanwutakwu, Director Occupational Health and Safety, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment among others.