A workshop aimed at providing participants with the knowledge and skills to effectively handle occupational and workplace hazards was held on Tuesday 23rd May 2023. It was organized by the Human Resource Unit of the Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Assembly (KKMA) for Heads of Departments and Units.
The facilitator, Mr. Michael Ewurah; a Public Health Analyst in a presentation stated that the health and safety of workers in every organization was expedient to efficiency and effectiveness, however, most employers and employees choose convenience over doing the right thing and end up paying a costly price when the unexpected happens. He gave the global perspective on the theories of various scientists which led to the understanding of why occupational health was relevant in the scope of work.
Mr. Ewurah explained further that, occupational health seeks to provide and maintain the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers. He emphasized that the primary goal of occupational health is to prevent accidents and harm to workers from work-related activities. He added that uncomfortable furniture at the workplace, poor ventilation, poor lightening systems and inappropriate personal protective equipment affect the safety and well-being of workers, resulting in high expenditure on complicating health issues either during job/work or even after retirement. He encouraged participants to take charge at all times of their safety and health at the workplace. He noted that every worker has a right to a safe and healthy working environment and it is the responsibility of management, government and the society as a whole to ensure that right is upheld.
Mr Ewurah therefore encouraged participants to push for their right for a safer working environment, as there were various forms of hazards that potentially could affect the health and well-being of workers. These hazards ranged from biological, chemical to psychological. He reiterated that, various acts of violence, threatening behavior, stress, low-compensation, lack of technology, poor interpersonal relations and communication coupled with unsafe working practices, emotional imbalance and sickness were some of the occupational Health and Safety issues at the workplace.
Finally, he entreated all workers to take good care of themselves by trying to balance between demands of family, work and personal life in order to prevent job stress and miscommunication. Mr. Ewurah advised participants to avoid working for long hours with heavy job demands since they pose as occupational dangers to their heath.
The facilitator; Mr Michael Ewurah – Public Health Analyst, KKMA
Heads of Department and Units at the workshop
CREDIT: Information Services Dept, KKMA