The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has intensified its nationwide workplace safety campaign, targeting employers across the country with renewed training on occupational safety and health standards amid concerns over rising workplace incidents and compensation claims.

The Fund’s latest stakeholder engagements are currently being held simultaneously in Bauchi, Jos and Kaduna as part of its “Programme on Safety Regulations, Policies and Standards,” organised by the Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Department.

The initiative, according to NSITF, was designed to move Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) beyond a mere regulatory requirement and make it a central component of business strategy and organisational planning.

In a statement signed by NSITF Head of Corporate Affairs, Alexandra Mede, the Fund said the engagements were aimed at deepening employers’ understanding of OSH frameworks, challenges and opportunities, while building their capacity to create safer workplaces.

The statement partly reads: “The programme also seeks to build participants’ capacity to develop and implement effective OSH policies, encourage collaboration among stakeholders, expose employers to emerging safety technologies and innovations, and strengthen practical skills in risk prevention, incident investigation and safety leadership.”

A total of 85 employers were invited to participate in each of the Bauchi, Jos and Kaduna sessions. However, the Fund said attendance had surpassed expectations, reflecting growing interest among employers in workplace safety.

The latest phase follows an earlier round of the campaign held in Owerri, Port Harcourt and Lagos between August 11 and 14, where more than 100 employers participated in each session.

NSITF said the strong turnout demonstrated increasing recognition of the importance of effective occupational safety and health practices among employers and other stakeholders.

The Fund said the campaign was particularly necessary given the increase in workplace incidents and compensation claims recorded in some sectors, stressing that employers must strengthen safety leadership, risk management and incident investigation mechanisms.

It said the programme was also aimed at equipping employers with modern tools and technologies for preventing workplace incidents and reducing occupational risks.

According to the Fund, participants are being exposed to practical approaches to identifying and managing workplace hazards, investigating incidents and developing effective safety policies that can be integrated into organisational operations.

NSITF further emphasised the need for greater collaboration among government agencies, employers and other stakeholders in tackling workplace hazards and improving occupational safety standards.

The Fund said the ultimate objective was to ensure that workplace safety became embedded in organisational decision-making rather than being treated as an obligation to be fulfilled only for regulatory compliance.

The Bauchi, Jos and Kaduna engagements are expected to conclude today, after which NSITF plans to extend the stakeholder outreach to other parts of the country.

The Fund said the wider campaign would help drive the adoption of occupational safety standards nationwide and strengthen employers’ capacity to prevent workplace accidents, protect workers and minimise the human and economic costs associated with occupational injuries.

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