FOLLOWING the absence of a safety code, professionals and artisans, who ply their trade within the interior designs and architecture, have been urged to ensure total compliance to safety rules and regulation.
In their submission, the experts, under the aegis of Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN), said the non-availability of safety standards for designers and architects had led to more than estimated two million deaths of workers globally, each year.
Also, about 268 million non-fatal work place accidents as well as 160million new cases of work related illnesses are said to occur each year.
President of the association Mr. Anslem Tabansi, while speaking at a one-day seminar organised by IDAN, stressed the need for employers of labour to deliberately and conscientiously put in place, a well-designed and well managed workplace that can play a beneficial role in promoting workers’ health and well-being.
He stated: “One of the reasons is that until recently there were no adequate laws that seek to regulate the practice of health and safety in general working environment in Nigeria.
“However, despite this lacuna in the laws, the multinational companies operating in Nigeria adopted and practiced health and safety initiatives despite the lack of laws compelling them to do so; primarily because they are forced to comply with international best practices as obtained in their countries of origin.
“It is noteworthy that as long as there is no existing regulation that compels designers and architects to adhere to safety and health issues in their designs; lip service will generally be paid to it by the majority of practitioners.
He added that the situation has however been remedied by the recent passage of bill on Occupation Safety And Health Bill 2012 by the National Assembly.
The bill, he explained seeks to protect workers from hazards associated with their jobs repeals and re-enacts the Factory Act 2004 making comprehensive provisions for safety, health and welfare of persons at work.
“Lagos State Government with the establishment of the Lagos State Safety Commission and the passage of the safety laws in the state have shown leadership in this regard while other states in the federation are yet to replicate this initiative.” Tabansi added.
Similarly, Director-General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mrs. Dominga Odebunmi, who was represented at the event by Head, Research and Development, Mr. Akinoso Taiwo explained that the technical knowledge of professional interior designers can have a significant positive impact by reducing injury, sick leave, increasing well-being and productivity, and conserving energy and other resources, thereby reducing costs to consumers and business.
He said: “Architects and interior designers must ensure safety and health so far as reasonable practicable. This will require them to take account of all relevant standards. British Standards (BS), International Organization of Standards (ISO), European Standards (EN), LASG Construction Safety Guidelines that highlights clearly the role of the designer.
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