The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Safety

  • OLX, LASTMA harp on safety during wet season

    OLX, LASTMA harp on safety during wet season

    Leading online classifieds site, OLX, has partnered the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to educate motorists on some precautions to ensure they are safe when driving during the rainy season.

    General Manager, LASTMA, Olawale Musa, said road users should be patient while driving during bad weather.

    LASTMA

    “To avoid major accidents we advise that you limit your speed to a maximum of 60km/h or even less as the case may be; driving slowly also prevents the car from being damaged by hidden potholes. Road users should also use their hazard lights to alert other road users who have poor visibility,” he said.

    Musa also advised motorists to check their battery regularly, adding that getting stranded in the rain with a dead battery is not fun, and can easily be avoided. He said the typical lifespan of a battery is between three and five years, warning that wet weather could stress battery while humidity can cause terminal corrosion and minor electrical grounds that can drain it overnight.

    “If your battery is over three years old, it is advisable you have it checked especially during the rainy season. A good indicator that the battery is getting weak is when it starts to sound sluggish during start up.  Any mechanic can perform a simple test for battery strength. Buying a new battery is a whole lot better than getting stranded in the rain,” he said.

    He said vehicle tyres are also important because the importance of good traction for the slippery roads cannot be over-emphasised. He advised motorists to make sure tyres are appropriate for the raining season by consulting a vulcaniser, stressing that ensuring that all tyres including the spare are properly inflated is also vital.

    The windshield wipers will be used a lot during the rainy season, therefore, he advised motorists to top the fluid and make sure the set of the wiper blades are also good enough. “Water deposits can clog the tiny nozzles on windshield washers over time, these can be cleaned easily with a fine needle, which can also be used to nudge and re-aim the nozzles to adjust the spray pattern. If the washers are badly damaged, replacement washers with better spray patterns are relatively cheap and easily available,” Musa said.

    According to him, the fuel tank that is nearly empty could result in condensation forming on the inside walls of the fuel tank, adding that fluctuating temperatures can result in water getting inside the tank. It’s never a good idea to run your tank to near-empty any time of the year because you run the risk of getting stranded, he warned

    Using the help line matters too should a motorist get into trouble. Therefore, he urged motorists or any Lagosian in emergency to dial toll free lines 767 or 112.

    Again, he said if a motorist feels his car is not rainy season compliant, sell it on the OLX site using an OLX Champ and search for great deals on the site to buy exclusive offers on verified cars.

    The OLX Group operates a network of online trading platforms in over 40 countries. It builds market leading classifieds marketplaces that empower millions of people to buy, sell and create prosperity in local communities.

    With over 300 million monthly users worldwide, OLX Group makes it fast and easy to buy and sell almost anything online, such as household goods, phones, cars and houses. Through consumer brands including Avito, dubizzle, letgo, OLX, Stradia and Storia, more than 10 million things are listed on its market-leading apps and platforms every single month.

  • School head advises Nigerians on health, safety practices

    School head advises Nigerians on health, safety practices

    How did Dansol High School, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos come first to get a level-two (on a three-star ranking) safety compliance standard award of the Lagos State Safety Commission and a level three (of a five-tier ranking) of SafeZone?

    Its Proprietress, Mrs Adun Akinyemiju, said it was by strictly observing hand washing in the school. This has resulted in zero recording of diarrhoea or food poisoning or any significant health hazard incident in the school in over 21 years of its establishment.

    She spoke at the presentation of the award of the safety compliance certificates to the school by the Lagos State Safety Commission.

    Mrs Akinyemiju said it had been inculcated in the pupils not to overlook any object that could lead to disasters, such as banana peel on the floor without picking and thrashing it.

    “An object looking like a nail can be quite unsafe, so we, as a management, train our pupils to be responsible and look out for such items, pick them and dispose promptly. We are happy that the effort has paid off. And as a Christian school we are happy that we are inculcating in our pupils that invaluable values are being built in them, that will see them though life. The award is quite gladdening and has spurred us into doing more. It is gratifying that among the schools in Lagos State that have been audited by InSiGHt for Lagos State Safety Commission to date, Dansol High School is the first of three schools to merit a level-two (on a 3-star ranking) safety compliance standard of the Lagos State Safety Commission and a level 3 (of a 5-tier ranking) of SafeZone,” said Mrs Akinyemiju.

    Explaining what the project is about, the Lagos State Safety Commission Director-General, Hon Dickson Hakeem said the commission embarked on the School Safety project to ensure the safety of every child and pupil in the sate.

    “One major component of the project involves an assessment of the systems that educational institutions have in place to ensure that risks to the safety and health of pupils, staff and parents are as minimal as possible. The assessment process provides a day of practical advice and guidance from the safety audit team. Although some schools regularly do self-assessment and undertake regular safety inspections, but an annual audit ensures that the schools’ health and safety practices are as robust as possible and also an essential requirement for safety certification by the Lagos State Safety Commission,” he explained.

    Hon. Hakeem said the commission was planning to introduce health insurance to both private and government facilities and workers, which will ensure that victims or places of accidents were compensated.

    Explaining the involvement of InSiGHt Health Consulting Limited, (Safety auditors – that audited the school), the Principal Consultant, Dr. Nnenna Mba-Oduwusi, said the agency is an accredited Safety agent for the Lagos State School Safety Project.

    “It is a collaboration with the Royal Society of the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). InSiGHt implements SafeZone, an accreditation system that provides a vehicle for assessing the level of compliance of health and safety standards in schools. It has exclusive right with ROSPA for school safety audits in Nigeria.

    Mba-Oduwusi said her agency was  proud of Dansol High School, for its exemplary safety standard. “Dansol is the first Nigerian School to attain the SafeZoneTM certification, which assesses over 400 safety criteria, and we are pleased to recognise its achievements as a level three school. We encourage other schools to follow the same path,” said Dr Mba-Oduwusi.

    Compliance and Enforcement Director, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mrs. Ronke Odeneye, said the commission chose the schools because Lagos  with a population of 17.5 million as at last year is  the most populated in Nigeria.

    “Out of which more than 35 percent are of school age (five to 18) hence, schools become critical point for health and safety. Although there are limited actual data for Nigeria, there are anecdotal and press reports that frequently highlights that school safety-related incidents are on the increase especially in Lagos State.

    This and more necessitated the  programe by the Commission, which is step in a right direction. ‘Learn Safe, Work Safe, and Live Safe’ is out Motto,”  Mrs Odeneye, said.

  • Saudi authorities assure Nigerian pilgrims of safety

    Saudi authorities assure Nigerian pilgrims of safety

    Saudi Arabia has reiterated its commitment towards the safety of Nigerian pilgrims as the 2017 hajj begins.

    Deputy Governor of Madina Dr. Wahid Alsihli gave the assurance yesterday.

    He spoke at a parley with Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Umar Z. Salisu and officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

    Alsihli said the Saudi government  was ready to contain the excesses of some its security operatives.

    Secretary of NAHCON Dr. Bello Tambuwal had petitioned the kingdom over the overzealous behaviour of some security operatives at the Madina Airport.

    Two Nasarawa State pilgrims were roughhandled by the security agents.

    NAHCON’s petition had prompted the intervention of the Saudi government.

    The deputy governor said it was unfortunate that the guests of Allah could be badly treated by those who are supposed to show kindness to them .

    He vowed that such acts would not be tolerated, hence the decision to punished the overzealous agents to serve as a deterrent to others

    The deputy governor and the Deputy Minister in charge of Hajj and Umrah Affairs in the Kingdom, Muhammad Abdurrahman Bijawy, visited  the Nigerian pilgrims’ hotel to personally apologise to the victims, NAHCON, Nigerian government and the pilgrims.

    The Nigerian Charge d’Affaires expressed delight over the Saudi Arabian government’s humility by accepting the mistakes of its agents and tendering an apology through high ranking government officials to the two victims – Alhaji Audu Damina Muhammad and Alhaji Ibrahim Nani Godi.

    Salisu hailed the NAHCON management in Madina for their prompt proactive measure in handling the issue.

  • Be safety conscious, LASEMA tells public

    Be safety conscious, LASEMA tells public

    Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has urged Lagosians to be safety cautious during the Eid-il-Fitri celebrations.

    A statement, by Adebayo Kehinde said LASEMA General Manager, Adesina Tiamiyu, advised them to closely monitor those activities around them foster security.

    He warned against over speeding, drinking and non-compliance with traffic rules accidents.

    The LASEMA boss said: “LASEMA, Lagos State Fire and Safety Service, Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the police, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and all the other agencies involved in the management of emergencies in the state have been put on red alert to secure lives and properties in the state.”

    He said the Lagos State emergency call centre lines 767/112 which are toll free from any telecommunication network are open for 24 hours.

  • SON: Consider safety before buying products

    The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has advised the public to always consider safety when buying any product.

    The Director General of SON, Mr. Osita Anthony Aboloma said this at a three-day workshop for engineers and scientists on Non-Destructive Testing.

    Represented by Mr. William Okpeh of the Nigerian Institute of Metrology, the SON boss urged the participants to make the most of the training in ensuring reliability with integrity not thrown out to the dustbin in manufacturing, fabrication and service inspection for products as much as control for manufacturing processes, lower production cost and maintenance of uniformity in quality levels is ensured.

    The lead resource person Prof. Terfa Gundu of the Mechanical Engineering Dept of University of Agriculture, Makurdi, stressed that the importance of Non Destructive Testing cannot be wished away as the training would help participants to have an overview of the concept of Non –Destructive testing, the nature of defect and flaws in materials and products and the importance and application of Non Destructive Testing.

    The development, he said will impact the society positively on safety, efficiency and the economy.

    Earlier, the Managing Director of SKB consult, Mr. Olusegun Onidare, reiterated that SKB consults, evolved the training program to equip SON staff for proficient perfomance in Non Destructive Testing methods, to get Nigeria as a people, out of the woods of a never- do-well state as far as safety and economic efficiency for Nigeria remains sacrosanct.

  • FRSC chief advises motorists on safety

    FRSC chief advises motorists on safety

    ‘Despite these efforts, many drivers, commuters, and others still claim they were not aware of certain traffic laws when they were arrested or prosecuted’ 

    The Badagry Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Fatai Adesina Bakare has said car crashes on Nigerian roads would be drastically minimised if road users become passionate about safety measures instead of developing fears of arrests by safety officials.

    He noted that many road users nurse the fear of being arrested by traffic officials instead of developing the desire to master and obey traffic rules and regulations.

    The Unit Commander spoke while briefing reporters on the challenges in his jurisdiction.

    He said road users only behave well when they sight checkpoints, adding that there is need for them to cultivate the virtue of being good road users.

    As road users, it is expected that they obey the rules and regulations. Every road user should be disciplined, careful and considerate to others to ensure safer roads, avoid road crashes, arrest and prosecution.

    He said the Badagry Expressway is one of the roads that link Nigeria with other African countries, resulting in human and vehicular movements that create traffic snarl.

    Other challenges he highlighted were over speeding and driving rickety vehicles on the highway by smugglers, impatience and disobedience to traffic rules.

    To end this ugly trend, Bakare said he has deployed personnel to strategic points across the community to ensure free flow of traffic and to enforce traffic rules. He said the Command had always organised workshops and public enlightenment on the importance of obeying traffic rules in markets, schools, motor parks/garages and religious houses, among others.

    He regretted that despite these efforts, many drivers, commuters, and others still claim they were not aware of certain traffic laws when they were arrested or prosecuted.

    The Commander praised the Corps Marshal Boboye Oyeyemi for providing more tools for the Command in response to their requests. He requested for some operational vehicles such as patrol vans, ambulances and tow trucks from the management or individuals who are passionate about safety on our roads.

    He praised Customs officers for giving his men backups any time they were on patrol and to the Akran of Badagry, Aholu Menu-Toyi I, for his leadership role and passion for safer roads.

    He also praised some fleet owners and operators who have installed speed limiters on their vehicles. He appealed to those who are yet to do so to install the device to avoid arrest.

    Commander Bakare appealed to motorists to ensure that their vehicles have good wipers that would enable them to see clearly when it rains.

    He spoke on the need to have good tyres, saying the good ones would grip well whenever the brakes were applied.

    He said traffic pointers and headlights were also important and, therefore should be in good condition.

    FRSC chief said motorists plying the roads during the rains without good wipers and tyres were endangering their lives and those of other road users.

    He advised motorists to stop when they felt that they could not move well due to heavy rains.

    He condemned a situation where parents allowed their under aged children to drive, believing that they were making them comfortable.

  • Atiku demands safety standards for viewing centres

    Atiku demands safety standards for viewing centres

    Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, yesterday called on government agencies to ensure that places of relaxation and viewing centres across the country meet all safety standards before they are allowed to operate.

    Atiku was reacting to Thursday night tragedy at a football viewing centre in Calabar, Cross River State where scores of ardent football fans were electrocuted while watching the Europa Champions League match between Manchester United and Anderlecht.

    In a press statement from his media office in Abuja, the former Vice President expressed his condolences to the families and friends of all those killed in the unfortunate incident, saying no one deserves to die in this way, particularly in the pursuit of their passion.

    While observing that viewing centres were springing up in every nook and cranny of the country to satisfy the demands of millions of football and other sports’ fans, Atiku said it is imperative that the relevant authorities ensure that these centres meet basic requirements of safety to the lives of the client.

    He urged governments at all levels to partner with non-governmental organisations and even well-meaning individuals in setting up cultural centres in communities, especially the most vulnerable, for the relaxation, comfort and entertainment of citizens of those localities.

    He called on relevant authorities to investigate the tragedy that caused the deaths of the football enthusiasts to avert future occurrence.

    He also commiserated with the bereaved families and the people and government of Cross River State, praying for the peaceful repose of the souls of the deceased.

  • Engineers push for safety in manufacturing, others

    Engineers push for safety in manufacturing, others

    The Nigerian chapter of American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) has resolved to step up the campaign on safety operations in manufacturing and other sectors.

    It took the decision at its fourth yearly conference in Lagos.

    Speaking at the event, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said the conference presented a golden opportunity for participants to learn new things on safety.

    He said safety concerns have taken centre stage in the manufacturing process of companies operating in Nigeria hence, the need to put in place new measures to ensure that safety becomes the goal of government through education and enlightenment.

    The governor while noting that Lagos State with its huge population has its own safety challenges, said his administration has tried to address them by putting in place relevant agencies to ensure that acceptable standards are strictly adhered to.

    Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Oladejo, used the occasion to highlight the relentless efforts of the state government on safety and environment.

    He said for instance, the emergency unit of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has been well equipped to cope with safety issues.

    Also speaking, the Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), represented by the Commander of Zone 2 Sector, Mr. Shehu Zhaki, revealed that accidents all over the globe posed safety problems. He said that 1.2 million people die in accidents annually all over the world, while 50 million people are wounded.

    He also said that Nigeria has been classified as one of the top five countries that record the highest number of road accidents in the world. The incessant road accidents in the country, he said, led the Federal Government to set up the FRSC in 1988 to reduce road accidents in the country.

    Zhaki stated that curbing the menace of road accidents is an onerous task that FRSC has been saddled with, adding that to be able to tackle this, the organisation has embarked on the training and retraining of its personnel.

    The General Manager, Upstream, Nigeria Safety, Health and Environment, ExxonMobil, Mrs. Carol A. Antaih, in her keynote address, said that occupational health and safety was becoming a worldwide concern not only for workers and their families, but also for governments, businesses and stakeholders.

    In the keynote address titled: Building a Safety Culture: Our Collective Responsibility, Antaih said that the most successful economies have demonstrated that workplaces designed according to principles of occupational health, safety and ergonomics are the most sustainable and productive.

    She shared some insights from ExxonMobil’s perspective on safety, which she said was towards excellence where ‘nobody gets hurt’ including employees, contractors and all stakeholders as well as communities where they do their business.

    Antaih stated that protecting the safety and health of the workforce is fundamental to the company’s business because safety is a core value and an integral part of its culture. “In fact, our commitment to sound sustainable environments, safety and security of our people form the foundation of our long term business success,” she said.

    The ExxonMobil safety manager said the company believes that no business objective should be pursued at the expense of safety.

    “We are relentless in our pursuit of safety so every employee and contractor returns home from work everyday safe and healthy. This is a commitment we make to ourselves and it underpins everything that we do in our operations every single day,” she said.

    Antaih revealed that ExxonMobil has over the past 10 years witnessed a 50 per cent reduction in lost time injuries and illness rates for employees and contractors, adding, “We are on a journey where the destination is zero hurt and we will remain committed to this goal.”

    She called on participants to focus on building a strong and sustainable safety culture for business and economic progress.

    Also speaking against the backdrop of building collapse and other unfortunate incidents in the construction industry, the Group Managing Director, Brickwall Group of Companies, Mr. Uche Ahubelem, said the issue of safety management has become even more critical in Nigeria.

    While stressing that safety is all encompassing, from manufacturing to everyday safety, Ahubelem urged government to encourage mangers of industries and businesses to insist on safety.

    Earlier in his remarks at the opening ceremony, the Consular General of the American embassy in Nigeria, Mr. John Bray, expressed pleasure in what ASSE is doing especially as it celebrates its 106 years this year.

    He noted that this was a remarkable achievement as it has been occupying a firm position in the health and safety sector.

    He praised ASSE Nigeria’s commitment in bringing government and the private sector together. The global team from the United States was led by the ASSE Global President, Thomas F. Cecich.

  • Lawmaker holds water safety workshop for pupils

    A member of Lagos State House of Assembly, Rasheed Makinde, has hosted pupils of public and private schools in Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA), to an advocacy workshop.

    The pupil’s also went on excursion to the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Water Safety Project as part of efforts to commemorate the World Water Day.

    The event, held at the APC Secretariat at Jankara in Ojokoro, Lagos, attended graced by teachers, principals, political and community leaders.

    Makinde said the event would educate and expose pupils to usage, purification and safety of water.

    “As safe and readily available water is important for public health, whether it is used for drinking, domestic usage, production or recreational purposes, the well-being of my constituents is paramount as contaminated water and poor sanitation are linked to epidemic transmission such as cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A and typhoid,” he said.

    The facilitator, Dr Sam Okom said, water was an essential commodity.

  • Safety of Lagos non-negotiable, says Ambode

    Safety of Lagos non-negotiable, says Ambode

    • Neighbourhood  Corps creates 7,000 jobs 

    The security of Lagos State is not negotiable, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said yesterday.

    At a launch of Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC) at the Agege Stadium, he said the state’s safety and the security of lives and property will now be enhanced.

    The Corps officials, he said, were not in competition with the police but would rather complement the police whose years of experience in securing the state cannot be undermined.

    According to him, the Corps will provide information to the police, assist in facilitating arrest and penetrate inner areas of local councils with their bicycles, motorbikes, whistles and other gadgets.

    “These officers have been trained on how to seek peaceful resolution of conflicts, proactive policing engagement as against reactive policing, dispute mediation, skilful negotiations and other skills that would assist in curbing crime and nipping in the bud the activities of criminally-minded individuals,” the governor explained.

    He urged the Corps officials to be civil in their approach, maintain courtesies and make safety of communities and neighbourhoods their watchword.

    “Be reminded that you have to be a friendly law enforcement team, eschew brutality, embrace civility, display maturity, imbibe the hallmark of patience, be understanding and make sure you earn the trust of every resident of the state,” Ambode said.

    He urged the public to cooperate with the Corps, saying the government would reward residents, who give the Corps “useful tips”.

    The governor said the LNSC created about 7,000 new jobs and thanked the House of Assembly for passing the Neighbourhood Watch Bill into law.

    Ambode said special hotlines have been created to facilitate communication with the Corps Executive Secretary, Mr. Adegboyega Bajulaiye, Chairman Israel Ajao and other top officials via 081-4000-0825 and 070-1722-2480.

    The governor said a bill has been sent to the assembly to regulate the recruitment of domestic staff to ensure their monitoring. He added that there is no longer room for child abuse in the state.

    “Activities of domestic workers over the years are largely undocumented and as such their unmonitored activities posed great threat to  security. Recruiting agencies must be licensed and regulated, henceforth, as our safety is now non-negotiable” the governor said.

    Earlier, Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations Mr. Seye Oladejo said the peculiarity of the state and the emerging security challenges informed the establishment of LNSC.

    “This community protection started unconsciously as the Crude Neighbourhood Watch in 1996, it has, however metamorphosed into a world class community protection outfit with a mandate and determination to stem the tide of soaring crimes at the grass-roots” he added.

    Some of the equipment given to the corps officials include 171 saloon cars, 377 motorcycles, 4,000 bicycles and related accessories.