It is no surprise that Street Signage, Traffic Lights, Zebra Crossing, Pedestrian & Cycling lanes etc show not

only the level of civilisation, development achievement but government responsibility to the Health & Safety (H&S) of its citizens. This is borne on the premise that Vehicles, Cyclists and Pedestrians are able to co-exist together without fear of congestion, accidents and death. To ensure that violation of the planned co-existence of Vehicles, Cyclists and Pedestrian are kept to the barest minimum if not non-existence, government around the world enacted laws that punish offenders and compensate affected victims to the level that this disturbance did not occur. Unfortunately in Nigeria, the enforcement of such traffic laws is almost non-existence. For example:

Non-compliance of traffic rules by motorists when Pedestrian are crossing or waiting to cross the zebra crossing. Non compliance of Street Signage by Commercial motorcyclists and Street vendors Cars parking on zebra crossing and pedestrian walkways which of course are the safest places for Pedestrians when walking on the road.

As if I thought the worse has already happened, my brother and I went to visit a friend only to encounter a horror on 3rd Mainland Bridge. Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) staffs were cleaning the bridge in the worst H&S violation that I have ever seen. That is working on the highway without adequate Traffic Management System, incomplete Personal Protective Equipment etc. In fact the basic hierarchy of risk control was non existence. My brother described the view as playing with peoples life with Russian roulette. I really felt ashamed as a Nigerian and cringed as a human being. Shockingly as well, a bank as matter of corporate responsibility decided to advertise on the back of LAWMAs Hi visi uniform thereby endorsing the procedure they (LAWMA) use to work on the highway. This makes me wonder what exactly is the H&S policy of this bank? Also, I would like to ask LAWMA the following questions as it concern their H&S policy;

Have you carried out Suitable and Sufficient Risk Assessment of the H&S for the highway bridge before commencing work? Are Reasonably Practicable Solutions adopted meet the standard to safely mitigate the hazard identified in the Risk Assessment?

If you have an existing Risk Assessment, how regularly are their reviews done in terms of updating and changing circumstances? Do you carry out various H&S trainings awareness or review the existing ones especially morning toolbox talk in order for your staffs to be familiar with safety tips that can keep them alive.

In United Kingdom, under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, it is a legal requirement for companies to carry out Risk Assessment and Safety Training at their workplace. If there happens to be an accident and Environmental Health Officers are invited for investigation, the first two things they will require from any Employer are the Companys Risk Assessment and Safety Training programme. This is seen as a proactive measure because it makes everyone responsible for H&S not only the Government. In Nigeria, our Factories Act 1987 which is quite similar to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 but has not been amended to address the current circumstances. This is because of little or no court cases exist that has prosecuted offenders that violated the act. Also the U.K. act requires employers to demonstrate that they have provided adequate reasonably practicable H&S for their employees and people around the premises. The Nigeria act although adequate still needs everybody involvement to achieve the right H&S standard that is desired and grow past leaving the responsibility only in the hands of the Federal Government. Maybe the proposed new legislature on Occupational Safety and Health will change the current circumstance. Also, LAWMA should be advised against working during busiest traffic period. Developed countries carry out their road sanitations between 1am to 4am using road sweeping machine. The reasons are as follows:

Traffic is extremely light on the road Ease access to large portion of the road without interference. Interference by identified hazards is reduced. Work done are completed during the shortest possible time

Many may argue that the security situation in Lagos is the bane of the problem why nightshift work is eliminated as an option. But I will like to ask, Is the dayshift itself safer? I also notice that the LAWMA staffs are

not working with the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). For example, instead of hard plastic caps for protection against head injury, they are wearing regular face-caps or headscarf. Instead of wearing hard boots for protection against corrosive acid chemicals, dangerous sharp objects or incoming live traffic, most wear bathroom slippers. I do not understand why PPE, considered to be last resort for protection if other hierarchy of risk control fails are not adequately provided. Shall we continue to be passive about the H&S of our fellow citizens until accident happens? Then the nation mourns, flags flies at half mast, public holidays declared and memorial statutes built. But while they were still alive we did NOTHING within our powers of authority to ensure that their H&S were well protected.