Anyanwu
National Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria, Nigeria
Title: New standadrs for occupational safety and health management and recognition of occupational diseases
Biography
Biography: Anyanwu
Abstract
International Labour Organization and World Health Organization committee aims at the promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social of well being of workers in all occupations. A study was carried in Lagos metropolitan, the largest city in West Africa, Employee Survey findings about workplace stress as result of increased workload, new technology at work, new business environment meeting deadlines, overdependence on targets, Gender insensitivity, extended work hours, conflict resolution. The findings reveals that 80% of the working hours is spent at work, 1/3 reported high level of stress, 1/4 reported their jobs as number 1 stressor in their life above family and financial pressure. ¾ believe more on the job stress than a generation ago. As results an alternative to reduce stress is employed by metropolitan residence in Lagos State in Nigeria to ease off stress as result of work stress. Lagosians spend Nib (USD 6.25m) per day on social parties (annual expenditure of N365 Billion) just to reduce stress. Some Occupational Diseases includes Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD), Low Back Pain, Hepatitis B, HIV, Mental Disorder, Leukemia, Zoonosis, Pneumoconiosis (Silicosis and Asbestosis) Pesticides Poisoning, Skin Disorder, Noise included Hearing loss, Musculo-skeletal Disorder, Cancer etc. Recommendations for Health promotion in a work place are creation of strong leadership for prevention of Non Communicable Diseases (NCD), strong support from management/employers, strong support from employees unions, stakeholder involvement, ensure availability of facilities for physical activity such as gyms, promotion of physical activity among employees including games and sports (6000 steps/week or 2000minutes/week) encourage use of stairs instead of lifts at work places, ensure availability of healthy foods at work. SUMMARY/CONCLUSION These occupational diseases are largely preventable and so the society will be better off with structures to mitigate those waiting disaster. Work place health and safety is a business of all as the society benefits therefrom.