AKWA IBOM STATE TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS GET A PUSH FOR SAFETY CULTURE IMPROVEMENT AND INCIDENTS PREVENTION STRATEGIES .
A one-day seminar seminar, titled “Enhancing Safety Culture and Incident Prevention Strategies in Technical and Vocational Skills Development Through Leadership Commitment in Akwa Ibom State,” was held on April 16th, 2024, at Juuldaam Engineering & HSE Systems Limited Training Hall in Uyo aimed at enlightening the Heads of
Technical and vocational schools and some representatives from technical school boards key requirements and expectations to enhance safety culture and prevent incident occurrence in the cause of skill development. Presention by Engr. Dr. Anthony Akadi FISPN. The Regional Manager and HSE consultant highlighted the following:
1.The importance of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) in technical and vocational schools and also the needs for the Heads to be commited to prevent incidents.
2. Critical safety hazards, risks exposures on the tools, equipments, plants and control measures were discussed, with focus on leadership roles and responsibilities.
3. Safe Systems of Work (SSOW) considering various jobs, processes and safety requirements .
4. Relevant legislations, standards, codes and best practices were shared.
5. Recent safety Incident trends in the state and outside were discussed, and obviously agreed would have been prevented.
The learnings from the seminar identified some critical recommendations which required an immediate attention at various schools.
1. Training of students, teachers and other workers on the key concepts of HSE.
2. Development of HSE policy for technical and vocational schools in line with the state executive’s Arise Agenda, and clearly communicate same to students, teachers and workers and also ensure annual validation.
3. Instituting a periodic safety meetings, were safety professionals,will provide needed support and guidance for the benefit of all the stake holders. The presenter, promised to develop a pilot safety topics to the Heads of school and technical school boards when required.
4. Development of tools, equipment and plant hazards and risks register lists and periodical engage the technical board and honourable Commissioner for an improvement opportunities was recommended to eliminate unmitigated risk and exposures.
5. Critical safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, protection devices etc should be provided to all workshops in technical and vocational schools and teachers, students and workers should be trained on usage.
6. Strengthening of safety communication through email addresses and Joint WhatsApp group should be set up. This will help in safety alerts and critical safety information disemination to enhance safety culture.
7. Joint periodic facility inspection was recommended best on related standards and best practices.
The participants were encouraged to be committed to safety practices and should lead by examples.
During the class discussion and questions sessions, it was obvious that most of the schools were not equipped with fire fighting equipment, this called for concern and the consultant emphasised the need to report to their concern timely to the technical school board and the honorable commissioner, considering the high risk and consequences.
A highlight of the event was also the recognition of three partcipants for timeliness in attending the program by the national president of ISPON Engr Timothy Iwuagwu and Dr Mrs Esther Williams (The Registrar).The awardees were Okoko E. Okon, John Essien Asukwo, and Effiong Udo Akpan.
Also, in attendance was Dr Mrs Esther Williams, the Registrar of ISPON . Others in attendance were Ita Benson – Coordinator, ISPON Akwa Ibom State; Engr. Dr. Godwin Ekong – Akwa Ibom State University, Engr Imaobong Joseph, Engr Inyang Udoma etc The seminar also served as a platform for Juuldaam Engineering & HSE systems to showcase various organizational proficiency training and consultancy programmes offered by the company which include foreign languages, oil and gas technical courses and HSE courses which will enhance safety culture and incidents Preventions in Technical and vocational schools such as Fundamental of Safety courses, Essentials of HSE for organizational leadership; Basic Fire Prevention , protection & Fire Fighting; First Aid ,CPR AED Course, Emergency preparedness and response Food Safety and Hygiene, Equipment and Plants Maintenance; Transportation Safety, Environmental & Waste Management, and Others. Transportation Safety Management, Chemical Handling and Hazards communications etc.
Juuldaam Engineering & HSE Systems Limited is a leading provider of safety training and Technical and engineering services in Nigeria.
Contact:Juuldaam Engineering & HSE Systems Limited
[https://www.juuldaam.com/who-we-are/](https://www.juuldaam.com/who-we-are/) (website address likely) mobile no:0808 833 4450
Overall, the seminar represents a significant step towards establishing a stronger safety culture within Akwa Ibom State’s technical and vocational schools, emphasizing leadership commitment, safe practices, and HSE awareness to create a safer learning and working environment.
The seminar was sponsored by
Engr. Dr. Anthony Akadi, Regional Manager of Juuldaam Engineering & HSE Systems Ltd and the Immediate Past State Coordinator of the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), Akwa Ibom State Branch, and Engr. Timothy Iwuagwu (the National President of ISPON), Alumni of Government Technical College, Abak, as part of contributions to 57th-year Anniversary Celebration of school done recently.
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