The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has restated its determination to strengthen safety measures by maintaining a safe and healthy working environment to protect staff, Corps Members, visitors and government properties.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Mrs. Caroline Embu.
According to the statement, the Scheme will continue to identify occupational hazards, assess risks, prevent workplace injuries and illnesses, protect the environment and comply with relevant safety standards.
The Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, stated this in his address at the maiden edition of the Occupational Health, Safety and Environment Schedule Officers Workshop held in Abuja.
Speaking through the Director, Human Resource Management, Mr. Nura Umar, General Nafiu said the workshop theme: “Preventing Workplace Hazards and Creating a Safe Environment in All NYSC Formations,” underscores the importance of workplace safety, occupational health and environmental sustainability to effective administration and service delivery.
He said all NYSC formations should prioritize regular workplace inspections, risk assessments, proper maintenance of safety equipment, fire drills, first-aid preparedness and emergency response procedures.
“We must therefore move beyond reacting to incidents and embrace a proactive safety culture,” he said.
The DG tasked participants to translate knowledge acquired into identifying hazards, assessing risks, promoting continuous safety awareness and setting clear action plans that would make every NYSC formation safer and healthier.
Earlier, Director, General Services Department, Mrs. Yetunde Baderinwa, said the workshop signalled an important step towards establishing a coordinated and sustainable approach to occupational health, safety and environmental management across NYSC formations.
She stressed that the safety of all officials, visitors, service providers and other stakeholders must remain a collective responsibility.
Participants at the workshop include Occupational Health, Safety and Environment Schedule Officers from the 36 State Secretariats and the FCT.