By Precious D. Freeman
The Liberian Red Cross is calling for first aid training compliance at every workplace in Liberia.
According to them, this will minimize the effects of climate change on the workplace and reduce the rate of occupational accidents and deaths.
Speaking at the ceremony marking the World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2024, under the theme “Exploring the Impacts of Climate Change on Occupational Safety and Health”, the Business Manager for the Liberia National Red Cross Society (NRCS), Marcus Washington, stated that climate change and its effects on the workplace is a serious global problem, and globally they must all join hands to alleviate this threat.
He pointed out that that is the reason major stakeholders, especially the Ministry of Labor, must enact, ensure, and enforce first aid training compliance to every workplace in Liberia.
He added, “Employees can identify and prevent the risk of workplace accidents or emergencies, as well as provide adequate first aid care when workplace accidents occur while awaiting 911.”
Washington furthered that workplace first aid training knowledge reduces cost on health insurances and medical bills, and increases productivity within the workplace.
“First aid knowledge at the workplace becomes a necessity and a method in reducing the risk of workplace accidents that will occur as a result of climate change. We cannot overly emphasize the need and importance for employers to acquire first aid training knowledge for employees within their various workplace,” he said.
“As a result, climate change can make workplaces more hazardous, leading to a higher risk of injuries, illnesses, and even death. The dangers can range from physical injuries due to extreme weather events to serious health problems like cancer, heart disease, breathing difficulties, eye damage, and even mental health issues,” he said.
He emphasized that climate change disrupts weather patterns, posing significant risks to worker safety and health globally, including heat stress, increased UV radiation, worsened air pollution, extreme weather events, industrial accidents, vector-borne diseases, and chemical exposure.
He furthered that climate change isn’t just harming the planet and the well-being, but it also makes work more dangerous. He added, “Workers are often on the front lines of these changes, experiencing them for longer and more intensely than most; this is because their jobs might put them outside in extreme weather, expose them to worsening air quality, or require them to work with
hazardous materials that climate change might disrupt.”
Serving as the keynote speaker, the Assistant Minister of Labor, Emmanuel Zoh, stated that the Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Health, the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), and other agencies, has been working tirelessly in the design of a National Safety Plan to draw out a knowledge-based mechanism that will close the gap of understanding on safe working conditions and guide workers and employers to a more decent work environment in Liberia.
According to him, the International Labor Convention (C155) provides for the adoption of a coherent national occupational safety and health policy, as well as action to be taken by governments and within enterprises to promote occupational safety and health to improve working conditions.
He maintained that, given this condition, Liberia, being a member of the ILO, working to uphold this international convention, has been making tireless efforts to improve the health and safety of workers within our landscape amidst the already growing challenges.
He emphasized that the decent Work Act of 2015 as their working tool clearly established a legal framework to secure the safety, health, and welfare of employees and other persons at work in Liberia, and they remain resolute in making this practicable by reducing all risk factors through sensitization and enforcement of all health and safety laws and best practices.
He, however, appreciated the Liberia National Red Cross Society and all other development partners for recognizing the part they as government and other stakeholders have to play in the protection of workers from occupational health hazards and deaths.
The World Safety Day is an annual international event observed on April 28, with the aim to encourage governments, employers, employees, and stakeholders to collaborate and take action to reduce workplace accidents, injuries, and occupational diseases.
