What is Safety?

Safety is a state in which hazards and conditions leading to physical, psychological or

material harm are controlled in order to preserve the health and well-being of individuals
and the community. It is an essential resource for everyday life, needed by individuals and
communities to realise their aspirations.

Definition of safety

the state of being safe; freedom from the occurrence or risk of injury, danger, or loss. the
quality of averting or not causing injury, danger, or loss. a contrivance or device to prevent injury or
avert danger.

What are the issues of Security and Safety?

Security is the deliberate protection against threats while safety is the unintentional
protection against threats. Security is about being protected from things that are meant to
harm you, while safety is about being protected from things that could unintentionally harm you.

Challenges such as, cyber-crime, terrorism, and environmental disasters impact the lives of
millions across the globe. These issues also rank high on the agenda of politicians, international
organizations and businesses. They also feature prominently in the public conscience and in
governmental policies.

The main goal of safety and health programs is to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and
deaths, as well as the suffering and financial hardship these events can cause for
workers, their families, and employers.

What is the difference between hazard and risk?

Hazard: something that could potentially cause harm. Risk: the degree of
likelihood that harm will be caused

10 Types of Security Threat

Here are ten common types of security risks and vulnerabilities, and what to do
about them.
 Malware (including fileless malware) ...
 Cloud security. ...
 Phishing. ...
 Ransomware. ...
 Data loss. ...
 Password attacks. ...
 Insider threats. ...
 DDoS
 Network vulnerabilities
 Formjacking

1. Malware (including fileless malware)

Perhaps the most basic and familiar threat to many users, malware covers a wide range
of unwanted programs that can cause any number of issues for a business, from
destroying data to sapping resources by turning machines into botnets or
cryptocurrency miners.

In 2021, over five billion malware attacks were logged by SonicWall, with the overall
number of attacks rising by a whopping 232% since 2019. In fact, 64% of IT leaders
cited malware as the biggest security challenge they’re facing this year.

There are a few key categories, such as viruses, which seek to replicate and spread as
widely as possible, Trojans, which gain entry to networks by disguising themselves as
legitimate applications, and spyware, which looks to monitor an employee's usage to
gather sensitive data.

Protecting against malware

Defending against these multitude of threats is no easy task, which is why having strong
antimalware tools is paramount. There are hundreds of tools out there claiming to offer
protection, but organizations need to ensure the solutions they choose can detect even
previously unknown malware by spotting their key characteristics - for example, a
program that tries to hide once installed. It's also essential this is kept up to date and
is able to scan every potential entry point to a network, from emails to USB flash drives.

2. Cloud security

The majority of businesses, both small and large, work in the cloud. From reduced IT
costs to improved scalability and easier collaboration - there are plenty of reasons most
modern organizations rely on cloud computing. However, it’s not without its own set of
challenges.

Cloud security is one of the main cybersecurity threats businesses are facing this year,
with 57% agreeing that it’s the most significant threat after malware. Some of the main
concerns businesses must be aware of when it comes to cloud security include account
hijacking, misconfigurations, external data sharing, data loss/leakage, unauthorized
access and insecure interfaces/APIs. For more insights, access the State of Cloud
Security report here.
Protecting against cloud security threats

Implementing robust cloud security practices can help protect against the various
threats and vulnerabilities to ensure your infrastructure and data is secure. From
securing user endpoints to implementing encryption and highlighting the importance of
good password hygiene, getting cloud security right requires attention to detail. It’s also
important to ensure you choose the right cloud provider from the get-go, which will take
some of the weight off your shoulders when it comes to ensuring your company’s and
customers’ safety in the cloud.

3. Phishing

One of the most common types of social engineering threat, phishing typically involves
sending emails that purport to be from a recognized and trusted source, usually with a
fake link that invites them to enter personal details into an online form. Some 51% of IT
professionals agree that phishing and other social engineering attacks are the biggest
challenges they face this year.

These are often designed as ways to get access to financial data or username and
password combinations, but they can do more than that - especially with the more
targeted 'spear phishing' variety, which will be tailored precisely to an individual
recipient.

For example, in April 2021, security researchers discovered a Microsoft 365 phishing
scam that steals user credentials. This Business Email Compromise (BEC) attack works
by sending emails with disguised .html files attached. Once the user opens this file,
they’re directed to a website that contains malicious code and told that they’ve been
logged out of Microsoft 365 and invited to log in again. Once they do this, the user’s
credentials are sent to the fraudsters in charge of the scam.

Protecting against phishing

Effective email security tools can help reduce the likelihood of such emails getting
through, but they're not 100% effective. Therefore, user education is the best way to
tackle this threat. By training people to be wary and spot the telltale signs of a phishing
attempt, firms can ensure their employees are not handing over valuable data to anyone
that asks for it.

4. Ransomware

A specific type of malware, ransomware works by encrypting key files on a machine or

network, then demanding a payment - usually in the form of Bitcoin or another
cryptocurrency - to make them accessible again. This is a relatively simple form of
attack, but it has the power to be hugely disruptive, as was seen with the
2022 Swissport incident. A significant 42% of companies report ransomware as the
biggest cybersecurity challenge they face this year.
Depending on the particular type of ransomware used, an attack may encrypt certain file
types that make it impossible to access critical business information, or block vital
system files that prevents a computer from booting up altogether.

Protecting against ransomware

To defend against ransomware, prevention is certainly better than a cure. Indeed, once
files are encrypted, there’s often nothing firms can do to get them back without paying a
ransom, or waiting and hoping a key is released publicly. Therefore, as well as normal
antimalware procedures, an essential defense is to ensure all key files are safely
backed up away from the primary network.

Machine learning can also be leveraged by IT professionals to protect against

ransomware attacks. This technology has the power to infer and predict attacks, and
allows for the constant monitoring of malicious activity allowing them to detect and
prevent malware from spreading through the file system.

5. Data loss

Data is frequently described as the new oil, and for many hackers, the ultimate aim of
their efforts will be to steal it in order to sell it on the dark web for use in identity fraud,
blackmail or as part of corporate espionage.

With data the lifeblood of all business operations today, it’s no wonder that 26% of
companies consider data loss to be the biggest cybersecurity threat they’re facing this
year. Whether it's social engineering or hacking into a database using known
vulnerabilities, getting data out of an organization is often the final step of any attack.

Protecting against data loss

It may be the case that hackers can sit inside a network for months looking for the most
valuable information and waiting for the right time to act, so even if a firm's perimeter
has been breached, there are still measures businesses can take to protect themselves
from the most serious consequences - but to do this, they'll need good data loss
prevention tools.

This usually refers to a series of measures designed to look for suspicious activities and
block the access and exfiltration of data by unauthorized users. It may monitor
endpoints and send out alerts if data is copied or transferred outside of normal,
approved processes.

6. Password attacks

Password attacks refer to the different methods used by hackers to maliciously

authenticate, enter and steal data from password protected accounts. We all know
about the importance of choosing a secure password, but more is required to prevent
cybercriminals cracking them. Typically, these attacks are carried out by exploiting
vulnerabilities in the system and using software to speed up the password-cracking
process.

The most common types of password security attacks include:

 Brute forcing
 Dictionary attacks
 Keylogging
 Password spraying

One recent example of a password breach was a supply chain attack that involved
software from SolarWinds. The attack compromised U.S. government agencies as
hackers exploited an unnoticed vulnerability in their cybersecurity provider’s network
monitoring software. This allowed them to infiltrate companies reliant on SolarWinds
software and access their confidential email communications.

Protecting against password attacks

Beyond educating employees on the importance of using strong passwords to prevent

putting your company at risk, there are several other best practices to be aware of to
ensure you’re protected against password attacks. These include using multi-factor
authentication (MFA) that requires users to provide more than a single piece of
information to gain access, as well as running regular penetration tests (pen tests) to
assess the security of your system.

7. Insider threats

It's often said that the biggest weakness in any security system is the part sitting behind
the keyboard. While many of the above threats can be assisted by careless employees
who don't follow basic security guidelines, you should also be taking steps to ensure
your employees can't harm the business deliberately, as well as accidentally. Although
it’s not the top cybersecurity concern, 17% of companies still consider protecting against
insider threats a significant challenge this year. Malicious insiders who are looking to
extract data or damage systems are a threat that any business may face, and it can be
tough to predict, so it pays to take precautions.

Protecting against insider threats

Ensuring all employees have the right level of access is the first step. Restricting users
to only the applications and data they need to do their job can be a great help - but of
course, it will not stop privileged users and those who have a legitimate need to access
sensitive information. It’s also important to hold security training sessions to make sure
your staff are aware of insider threats and the risk they pose.
Therefore, this needs to be backed up with effective monitoring that can quickly identify
any unusual or suspicious activity and shut it down, or challenge users to confirm they
have a genuine reason for their actions.

8. DDoS

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks involve an attacker flooding a system -

often a web server - with traffic requests until it simply can’t cope with the volume of
requests it’s being asked to deliver, with the result being that it slows to a crawl and is
effectively taken offline. This is a particularly tricky form of attack to deal with as it takes
little skill to pull off and doesn’t require attackers to actually breach a firm's perimeter,
which is likely what renders it the biggest cybersecurity challenge for 10% of
companies. Indeed, botnets that provide the resources needed to launch a DDoS attack
can be bought on the dark web for just a few dollars.

Until recently, DDoS attackers were regarded as more of a nuisance than a serious
threat to firms. They might take a website offline for a few hours, which would certainly
have an impact on revenue for digital-focused firms, but that was about the limit of their
impact. Now, however, the landscape is different. Sustained botnet attacks are bigger
than ever before and can last for days or weeks rather than hours, and they're also
increasingly used as a cover for other attacks, such as data exfiltration, rather than
being an end in themselves.

Protecting against DDoS attacks

Therefore, preventative and remedial measures must be taken. While companies can
take several steps themselves, such as bandwidth buffering, having a DDoS mitigation
service can be the most effective defense.

In 2021 the largest DDoS attack ever was recorded when Microsoft mitigated an attack
involving an Azure customer with a throughput of 3.45 Tbps and a packet rate of 340
million PPS. Once detected, it’s vital to trace the source of the attack to ensure you
won’t simply fall victim to it a second time. You can do this by working with cybersecurity
professionals and law enforcement experts to ensure your business is protected in the
future.

9. Network vulnerabilities

Enterprise networks are getting ever-more complex, and that means the number of
potential vulnerabilities within them is on the rise. Issues such as zero-day attacks, SQL
injections and advanced persistent threats all seek to take advantage of weaknesses in
code that can allow hackers to gain access to a network in order to plant malware,
exfiltrate data or damage systems.

One of the main ways hackers do this is by taking advantage of outdated and
unpatched software, so ensuring all systems are up-to-date is vital in guarding against
many of these attacks. Yet it's something that many businesses still fail to do, with one
in three data breaches originating from vulnerabilities left by unpatched software.

Protecting against network vulnerabilities

To defend against vulnerabilities, a good patch management plan is essential,

especially as network sprawl continues to be an issue. This can be challenging, but
many of the tasks involved in this can now be automated with the help of modern patch
management tools and applications.

10. Formjacking

Formjacking is among the most recent types of cyber security threat. It occurs when
hackers inject malicious code into a web page form to collect sensitive data. They most
often occur on payment page forms, so that when a user inputs their payment
information the attacker can collect the card number, address, customer name and
phone number. This is part of a group of cyberattacks known as supply chain attacks.

Protecting against formjacking

To ensure your customer data is secure, make sure that you’ve implemented robust
antivirus software and use MFA to protect accounts. This will make it more challenging
for hackers to infiltrate your web pages.

What security solutions are IT professionals

prioritizing?
Improving IT security is the top priority for 61% of organizations, with security service
spending projected to reach almost 77 billion U.S. dollars worldwide in 2022, according
to Statista.

There are numerous steps businesses must take to ensure their IT security is up to
scratch and effectively protecting various aspects of their digital infrastructure. Today, IT
professionals are taking a holistic approach to cybersecurity, ensuring that their
companies are protected at every level to identify and mitigate threats before they arise.
There are various types of cybersecurity tools, and it can be challenging to understand
which ones to prioritize.

For instance, essential cybersecurity software include:

 Network security monitoring solutions: Built to detect and analyze potentially

malicious activity within your network
 Encryption tools: Encrypts data and files to keep sensitive information secure
 Antivirus software: Prevents, detects and deletes malware from your devices
 Firewall software: Monitors and filters traffic to and from your network
  Penetration testing tools: Used to assess the security of your network and
highlight any vulnerabilities
 Web vulnerability scanning tools: Automated tools designed to scan and
detect security threats within website applications

These are just some of the essentials of an IT professional’s toolkit, and it’s important to
ensure all of your bases are covered to protect against the various types of threats.

What do you understand as the concept of health and safety in the organisation?

The main goal of safety and health programs is to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and
deaths, as well as the suffering and financial hardship these events can cause for
workers, their families, and employers.

WHAT IS SAFETY MANAGEMENT? * Safety management seeks to proactively mitigate

safety risks before they result in accidents and incidents. Through the implementation of
safety management, States can manage their safety activities in a more disciplined, integrative
and focused manner.

What are the 3 basic concepts of safety?

This is one of the three E's of safety: Evaluation, Education, and Enforcement.
 Evaluation. Evaluation is critical to creating a safe workplace and requires a consistent
process. ...
 Education. Education is meant to increase a person's understanding of a subject. ...
 Enforcement.

5 fundamental Safety Concepts

However, for you to gain the knowledge of these elements, it will likely require extra effort in
understanding the 5 E's of safety - education, encouragement, engineering, enforcement,
and evaluation. Education is a significant part of your strategy that will ensure you promote a
safe environment and workplace.

The 4 main objectives that the act enforces are:

 Employers' responsibilities.
 Employees' responsibilities.
 Enforcement of Health and Safety legislation.
 Enforcement action.
Here are the 8 key components of a successful safety
management program:
1. Formalized safety policies
The first step to safety success is to outline the organization’s safety policies – your
organization’s position on the importance of safety management, and the general
expectations from each employee as to how to act in certain situations.

Safety policies should include critical operating information for employees to embrace
and follow throughout their day to day working lives. These policies should include
everything from general operating procedures such as: what to do in case of a fire, how
often fire drills are practiced to detailed instructions for dealing with injuries if someone
is hurt on the job or while in the building.

According to Jake Woolfenden, Owner of Summit Safety Group, having a written,

shared, and embraced safety policy is the most basic requirement that shows an
organization’s commitment to safety.

2. Effective and regular communication about safety

and health
Having safety policies that are frequently communicated and accessible to everyone is
important. It’s critical that organizations discuss the safety policies with employees and
managers to ensure understanding and adoption.

It’s also a good idea to remind employees often that safety takes priority over
productivity. This message can sometimes get lost with the daily pressures of meeting
order commitments. Employees sometimes feel that they get mixed messages, so be
sure to remind employees of the priority of safety.

Focused, consistent messaging about safety and health can create loyal, productive,
and accountable employees who feel respected and valued by the company. Regular,
 ongoing communication educates employees, helps to show the values of the company,
and it helps to reinforce the right behaviors.

Make sure that employees feel a strong personal connection to their own safety and the
safety of others – “shared accountability.” The benefits of this mutual caring by
employees will be recognized instantly. You’ll see that employees embrace safety
policies rather than avoid them. As a result, you’ll find a reduction in the frequency and
severity of incidents and near-misses improving the overall effectiveness of your safety
management program.

3. Support for behavior-based safety

The safest companies in the world recognize the importance of creating habits around
safety. That’s why many of them focus on behavior-based safety – a safety
methodology that focuses on improving safety through habit creation.

Unsafe behavior is naturally habitual for most employees and they are unaware of
it. Oftentimes, an activity has been done the wrong way for so long that employees
aren’t even conscious of the incorrect behavior in many cases. Companies can create
good behavior by forming positive habits while breaking old ones. That’s where the
concept of habit change comes into play.

According to behavioral expert James Clear, it takes 66 days on average to develop a

new habit. That means that organizations must dedicate themselves to continuous
improvement in order to achieve optimal safety results.

In order to create habit change, Clear uses a framework called the 3R’s of Habit
Change:

1. Reminder (the trigger that initiates the behavior)

2. Routine (the behavior itself; the action you take)
3. Reward (the benefit you gain from doing the behavior)
In your personal life, you might use a fitness tracker, set an alarm or leave notes on
your bathroom mirror to remind yourself of things to help create healthy habits. You can
use these same principles with your employees in the workplace, perform and record
regularly near misses, behavior-based observations and/or spot checks.

4. Utilization of both leading and lagging indicators

Organizations with outstanding safety records develop a systematic method to measure
what’s going on throughout their entire safety operation. It enables them to quickly and
easily understand why something went wrong if it ever does. However, most
organizations are far from this type of systematic reporting capability.

Many organizations primarily utilize lagging indicators – a measure of what’s happened

in the past such as lost workdays, workers’ comp costs, or injury frequency. As safety
leaders know, these reactive metrics do very little for future prevention of accidents and
injuries.

The ability to quickly and precisely identify high-risk situations is something that should
be on every safety leader’s checklist for safety performance. Leading indicators can
provide insight so that the organization can predict what could happen and take action
to avoid accidents from occurring. Leading indicators include measures such
as frequency of safety training, number of and results of safety audits and inspections,
as well as the behaviors reflecting operations including mean time of completion of
corrective action, employee involvement in proactive activities and even leadership
involvement.

Through gaining insights into leading and lagging indicators, organizations can gain a
complete picture of all safety program activity, with the ultimate goal of preventing
accidents before they ever happen.

Some anecdotal stories describe companies compiling data for days for their annual
meetings. Investing in safety management software with customizable analytics can
resolve the issue and give you time and money back.
 5. Cutting edge tools and systems
Companies with low injury rates equip their employees for success and they do so
through more than just processes and safety management programs. They leverage
cutting-edge tools and systems to keep their employees prepared and ready to handle
whatever they need to.

The most impactful safety management program is one that equips any employee to
quickly access the information they need and report an issue. Whether that information
is an SDS Sheet, a training record, or the result of a safety audit, companies are now
leveraging mobile safety management solutions to improve the timeliness of response
and communication.

Just like companies provide their employees with PPE (Personal Protective Equipment),
the best safety leaders recognize the importance of mobile safety software to improve
their overall safety management program. This is becoming even more important as
younger workers who grew up as digital natives look for employers that accommodate
working in ways that are natural and preferred for them. They can’t imagine having to fill
out a paper form, fax it to someone, keep a copy for their file, etc. They expect
employers to use tools that they use in their daily life to ease their adoption of
organizational operations.

6. Frequent safety training and discussion

The safest companies in the world recognize the importance of continuous education of
their employees, and they prioritize it.

According to OSHA, safety training provides managers, employees, and supervisors

with:

1. Knowledge of proper practices to do their job safely

2. Awareness of how to eliminate hazards to reduce risk
3. Specialization when their specific roles require unique preparation
These three components are critical to reducing incident frequency while improving
overall safety. One issue that employers face when looking to implement frequent
training is that training sessions can be long and boring. When’s the last time you
remember seeing an employee get excited about a training session?

Public speaker and training expert Richard Hawk has a solution to helping you keep
training engaging, fun, and effective for all employees: keep your content high energy,
and use storytelling to connect with people.

7. Empowered and motivated employees

Empowering employees through your approach to safety management can result in
tremendous outcomes for your organization. However, many organizations struggle to
achieve the proper level of employee engagement.

According to industry expert Jake Woolfenden “The biggest problem with most safety
management programs is that they focus on preventing injuries by highlighting how bad
things can get – scaring employees straight. While that’s somewhat effective, it does
very little to motivate employees to perform better.” This results in a fear-based culture
rather than one based on success, thus reducing employee morale.

Successful safety management programs and plans consistently promote proper safety
through continuous education, consistent reinforcement, and ongoing improvements.

Interested in some ideas to improve engagement and empowerment? Try highlighting a

safety person of the week/month – or nominate them to be a safety hero on
iReportSource’s Safety Hero Page!

8. Comfort with reporting issues related to safety

It’s natural to want to get the job finished on schedule — or even ahead of time — but
with a “get it done quick” attitude, accidents happen. Top tier organizations emphasize
 the importance of reporting potential problems before they occur, or reporting safety
incidents the moment they happen.

Make sure employees understand that they shouldn’t take shortcuts and that safety is
the top priority. An accident impacts productivity more than anything in a business, so
make sure that the correlation between safety and productivity is understood by all –
especially those managers who are evaluated on productivity.

Employees should feel interested and obligated to report a hazard or potential issue
when they see it. When everyone feels a sense of responsibility for carrying out safety
policies and procedures, the entire organization will improve its safety.

Why is understanding health, security and safety important?

By protecting your workers, you reduce absences, ensuring that your workplace is more
efficient and productive. Research shows that workers are more productive in workplaces that
are committed to health and safety. Reducing down-time caused by illness and accidents
means less disruption – and saves your business money.

4 Essential Elements For Workplace Safety

 Management Leadership and Employee Involvement.
 Workplace Safety Analysis – Early & Often.
 Workplace Safety Hazard Prevention and Control.
 Safety and Health Training and Education.
The four key safety management steps are easy to remember because they spell
SAFE:
 See it.
 Assess it.
 Fix it.
 Evaluate it

What is the difference between Health Safety and Security?

Both safety and security are necessary for our survival but in subtly different ways. Safety is
the state of being protected against harm or danger, while security is the actions taken to
make people or places safe.

Who are responsible for health and safety in the organisation?

 Employers
Employers are responsible for safety in the workplace according to the U.S. Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA). But if you're a small business owner, there are resources
available to help you ensure safety in the workplace.

Why safety and security is important in the workplace?

Keeping workers safe will improve employee morale and when employees are happy with
their job, the more productive they will be. Employees operate much more efficiently when
they know they can complete their job or task without their health being affected. An effective
safety program also works to reduce risk.

What are some examples of health and safety?

Induction training
 workplace orientation.
 fire safety and emergency procedures.
 first aid.
 health and safety (such as risk assessments or accident reporting procedure)
 welfare facilities.
 safe use of workplace tools, machinery, equipment.
 risk assessments.
 maintenance or storage of personal protective equipment.

9 Types of Workplace Threats

Workplace security threats are inevitable. As the workplace gets smarter and
savvier, so too do the threats that jeopardize your workplace security. This includes
cyber attacks, supply chain disruption, natural disasters, and more.

1. Supply chain disruption

Who hasn’t heard of the supply chain disruption this year? According to
a 2022 survey by Blue Yonder, 88% of businesses faced disruption last year
due to supply chain issues.
Companies and their leaders should continually assess and manage supply
chain risks. Supply chain disruption isn’t going away anytime soon–especially
due to Covid-19, labor shortages and geopolitical events. So it’s important to
conduct regular supply chain vulnerability assessments and establish a risk-
management plan of action.
2. Cyber attacks
Cyber attacks are on the rise. According to a 2021 Accenture report, there
were an average of 270 cyber attacks per company last year, a rise of over
30% from the previous year. It’s clear that cyber attacks are becoming more
sophisticated. Yet, despite this increase, 78% of leaders are still unsure how
or when a cybersecurity incident will affect their organization.
Preventing cyber attacks isn’t impossible, but it does require work.
Companies must understand their cybersecurity vulnerabilities to safeguard
against a cyber attack. Risks might be privilege abuse, data mishandling,
unapproved hardware and software, or email misuse.
Communicating cyber threats to employees is also crucial to increase
awareness and prevention. Phishing attacks account for more than 80% of
reported security incidents. They can be difficult to spot. For example, your
employees might receive an email from someone claiming to be the CEO,
asking for money or personal information. Training people how to respond
will help them be more cautious and aware of what and who they interact
with.
3. Health threats
Health security became the unexpected face of workplace security in 2020
due to COVID-19. Companies had to act quickly and rethink how they
operate to ensure their teams were able to continue to work without risking
illness.
Now, as we move further away from the pandemic, health threats are still
very prevalent. According to research by Duke University, disease outbreaks
will likely grow three-fold in the next few decades. Companies must prepare
for these situations by having business continuity plans and mitigation
strategies in place. To do that, leaders must invest in the tools that automate
and standardize the enforcement of health protocols.
4. Workplace incidents
As more people navigate being back onsite, the risk of workplace incidents
increases. This includes things like accidents at work, bullying, or verbal and
physical harassment. Left unchecked, the consequences of workplace
incidents can be severe.
Organizations should implement regular training for both employees and
executives to identify and respond to different workplace incidents. Ensure
procedures are in place for reporting any workplace incidents, as well as
policies to tackle each event quickly.
5. Natural disaster or extreme weather
Natural disasters don’t spare workplaces when they strike. While these
events are impossible to control or predict, companies can prepare to
withstand a natural emergency and the hazards that may result.
Having emergency supply kits and practicing evacuation plans with
employees are a couple of simple ways to keep people safe. Failing to
prepare for a natural disaster could put personnel at risk, disrupt workplace
operations, and result in irrecoverable economic costs.
6. Theft of physical or intellectual property
The most plain security threats may be those to a company’s physical and
intellectual property. This can include anything from patents and employee
know-how to trade secrets, laptops, and physical documents.
Organizations should remind employees to keep their important physical and
intellectual property safe. Theft is often committed by unsavory characters
who enter your workplace without being noticed. So it’s important to invest
in a workplace access and visitor management tool to keep track of who is
entering the building.
7. IT failure of a business-critical system
Hardware or software failures, accidental damage, network communication
issues, or some other business-critical IT failure can do lasting damage to a
business. At the very least, it can be time-consuming, expensive, and
challenging to reverse.
There’s no way you can predict every IT failure that may happen, but with
the right preventative measures in place, you can certainly minimize the
impact. Regularly analyzing your systems for any weaknesses can be
effective at highlighting any potential areas for failure. Equally, ensure your
in-house IT team is equipped with the right resources and trained to respond
quickly and learn from failures.
8. Brand and reputation crises
Brand reputation directly ties to a company’s market value. What may take
years to grow can tarnish overnight. Nowadays, it can be a single tweet that
takes a company down. Risks can come from any part of the business,
including unethical suppliers, partners, and employees—even competition.
 Communicating to your employees the do’s and don’t, particularly on social
media, can help mitigate some of these risks.
9. Utility outage
Utility outages are hazardous at worst and inconvenient at best. In today’s
modern workspace, a utility outage could cause major communication issues
among employees, customers, and partners. In many cases, utility outages
are preventable with preparation and training.
–

7 Ways to Ensure Workplace Security and Safety

 Have a health and safety plan in place, including an emergency procedure. ...
 Involve employees in safety planning. ...
 Maintain premises & machinery. ...
 Educate your employees about safety and security. ...
 Foster a culture of safety & security.
 Follow all legislations related to health and safety
 Install verified security systems such as controlled access, panic buttons, fire detection,
and verified CCTV & audio.

SOME ACCIDENT THEORIES

Accidents are defined as unplanned occurrences which result in injuries, fatalities, loss of
production or damage to property and assets. Preventing accidents is extremely difficult in the
absence of an understanding of the causes of accidents. Many attempts have been made to
develop a prediction theory of accident causation, but so far none has been universally accepted.
Researchers from different fields of science and engineering have been trying to develop a theory
of accident causation which will help to identify, isolate and ultimately remove the factors that
contribute to or cause accidents. In this article, a brief outline of various accident causation
theories is presented, followed by a structure of accidents.

Accident Causation Theories

1) The domino theory:

According to W.H. Heinrich (1931), who developed the so-called domino theory, 88% of all
accidents are caused by unsafe acts of people, 10% by unsafe actions and 2% by “acts of God”.
He proposed a “five-factor accident sequence” in which each factor would actuate the next step
in the manner of toppling dominoes lined up in a row. The sequence of accident factors is as
follows:
1. ancestry and social environment--eg Drugs , alcohols, behaviour and upbringing etc.
2. worker fault-- eg. reckless, heedless, carelessness etc.

3.Unsafe act together with mechanical and physical hazard---eg performing task without proper
tools.

4. accident ---- caused as result of above

5. damage or injury.---- outcome of above factors.

In the same way that the removal of a single domino in the row would interrupt the sequence of
toppling, Heinrich suggested that removal of one of the factors would prevent the accident and
resultant injury; with the key domino to be removed from the sequence being number 3.
Although Heinrich provided no data for his theory, it nonetheless represents a useful point to
start discussion and a foundation for future research.

2)Multiple causation theory:

Multiple causation theory is an outgrowth of the domino theory, but it postulates that for a single
accident there may be many contributory factors, causes and sub-causes, and that certain
combinations of these give rise to accidents. According to this theory, the contributory factors
can be grouped into the following two categories:

Behavioural. This category includes factors pertaining to the worker, such as improper
attitude, lack of knowledge, lack of skills and inadequate physical and mental condition.

Environmental. This category includes improper guarding of other hazardous work elements
and degradation of equipment through use and unsafe procedures.

The major contribution of this theory is to bring out the fact that rarely, if ever, is an accident the
result of a single cause or act.

3)The pure chance theory:

According to the pure chance theory, every one of any given set of workers has an equal chance
of being involved in an accident. It further implies that there is no single discernible pattern of
events that leads to an accident. In this theory, all accidents are treated as corresponding to
Heinrich’s acts of God, and it is held that there exist no interventions to prevent them.

4) Biased liability theory:

Biased liability theory is based on the view that once a worker is involved in an accident, the
chances of the same worker becoming involved in future accidents are either increased or
decreased as compared to the rest of workers. This theory contributes very little, if anything at
all, towards developing preventive actions for avoiding accidents.
5) Accident proneness theory:

Accident proneness theory maintains that within a given set of workers, there exists a subset of
workers who are more liable to be involved in accidents. Researchers have not been able to
prove this theory conclusively because most of the research work has been poorly conducted and
most of the findings are contradictory and inconclusive. This theory is not generally accepted. It
is felt that if indeed this theory is supported by any empirical evidence at all, it probably accounts
for only a very low proportion of accidents without any statistical significance.

6) The energy transfer theory (HADDON THEORY):

Those who accept the energy transfer theory put forward the claim that a worker incurs injury or
equipment suffers damage through a change of energy, and that for every change of energy there
is a source, a path and a receiver. This theory is useful for determining injury causation and
evaluating energy hazards and control methodology. Strategies can be developed which are
either preventive, limiting or ameliorating with respect to the energy transfer.

Control of energy transfer at the source can be achieved by the following means:

 Elimination of the source

 Changes made to the design or specification of elements of the work station
 Preventive maintenance.

The path of energy transfer can be modified by:

 Enclosure of the path

 Installation of barriers
 Installation of absorbers
 Positioning of isolators

The receiver of energy transfer can be assisted by adopting the following measures:

 Limitation of exposure
 Use of personal protective equipment.

7) The “symptoms versus causes” theory:

The “symptoms versus causes” theory is not so much a theory as an admonition to be heeded if
accident causation is to be understood. Usually, when investigating accidents, we tend to fasten
upon the obvious causes of the accident to the neglect of the root causes. Unsafe acts and unsafe
conditions are the symptoms—the proximate causes—and not the root causes of the accident.

Structure of Accidents :

The belief that accidents are caused and can be prevented makes it imperative for us to study
those factors which are likely to favour the occurrence of accidents. By studying such factors, the
root causes of accidents can be isolated and necessary steps can be taken to prevent the
recurrence of the accidents. These root causes of accidents can be grouped as “immediate” and
“contributing”. The immediate causes are unsafe acts of the worker and unsafe working
conditions. The contributing causes could be management-related factors, the environment and
the physical and mental condition of the worker. A combination of causes must converge in
order to result in an accident.

Summary:

Accident causation is very complex and must be understood adequately in order to improve
accident prevention. Since safety lacks a theoretical base, it cannot be regarded as being a
science yet. This fact should not discourage us, as most of the scientific disciplines—
mathematics, statistics and so on—passed through a similarly tentative phase at one time or the
other. Accident causation study holds great promise for those who are interested in developing
the pertinent theory. At present, theories of accident causation are conceptual in nature and, as
such, are of limited use in preventing and controlling accidents. With such a diversity of theories,
it will not be difficult to understand that there does not exist one single theory that is considered
right or correct and is universally accepted. These theories are nonetheless necessary, but not
sufficient, for developing a frame of reference for understanding accident occurrences.
The Nigeria's Factories Act of 2004, the Employee Compensation Act of 2010, the Minerals Oil
Safety Regulation of 1999 and the Harmful Waste Act of 1990 are pieces of legislation that
included provisions for the safety, health and welfare of Nigerian workers beyond the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ...
The Factories Act of 2004 mandated all factories to provide report of occupational accidents to
the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity Inspectorate Division (FMLPID).
What is Factory Safety?

Safety in the manufacturing process is important to prevent or minimize the risk of worksite
injuries, related illnesses and even death. Employee morale and efficiency improves with a
highly effective safety process.

What is PPE in manufacturing? Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as PPE, is

equipment worn to avoid various hazards in manufacturing facilities. Gloves, protective hearing
gear (earplugs, muffs), hard hats, goggles, respirators, and full-body suits are just a few examples
of PPE.

The Nigeria’s Factories Act of 2004, the Employee Compensation Act of 2010,
the Minerals Oil Safety Regulation of 1999 and the Harmful Waste Act of 1990 are
pieces of legislation that included provisions for the safety, health and welfare of
Nigerian workers beyond the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999,
and the Labour Act of 2004. Unfortunately, despite having this robust legal code,
one still wonders why the rate of accidents in factories operating in Nigeria is on the
rise.
Part V of the Act enumerates the measures to be taken to protect persons against
the inhalation of the dust, fume or other impurities, and to prevent its accumulation
in workrooms. Exhaust appliances are provided very close to where the dust, fume
or other impurities originate from. This prevents it from polluting the air in workrooms.
Additionally, protective cloths and appliances such as gloves, footwear, goggles and head
coverings are provided for workers who are exposed to wet, injurious substances.

Health, safety and welfare

Safety is a state of being away from hazards caused by natural forces or human
errors randomly (Nas, 2015). Safety is also said to be a state in which danger and
conditions leading to physical, psychological or material harm are controlled in
order to preserve the health and well-being of individuals and the community.
Similarly, occupational safety and health is generally defined as the science of the
anticipation, recognition, evaluation and control of hazards arising in the workplace
that could impair the health and well-being of workers, taking into account the
possible impact on the surrounding communities and the general environment.
In the view of the World Health Organization, the combination of health, safety
and wellbeing is explained to be “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and
not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. This means that an
employee who is employed by an organization should have evidence of wholeness
in his health status irrespective of the nature, magnitude of his assigned job.

Health and safety at work: A basic right of the workforce

According to Section 17 (3) (a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria 1999, it is the right of every Nigerian to be gainfully employed in order to
cater for himself. Therefore, the employer should rather see the engagement of an
employee from a mutual benefit perspective in order to ensure a healthy
employer/employee relationship at the workplace. Furthermore, Section 17 (3) (b)
(c) stipulated that the right and work condition in which an employee will be
engaged with should be ‘just’ and ‘humane’, with the health, safety and welfare of
all persons in employment safeguarded.
Falana (2010) therefore opined that fundamental rights are generally regarded as
those aspects of human rights which have been recognized and entrenched in the
constitution of any country, hence, employers should ensure that, machinery and
equipment are safe and without risk to health.
Anyakwe’s (1997) assertion was that human rights are founded in a single
demand, which is, that respect is shown for human dignity under any circumstance
and this is explicitly stipulated in Section 17 (2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution, that
the sanctity of an individual shall be acknowledged with the maintenance of human
dignity. The ILO (n. d.) acknowledges the dignity of the individual and developed
treaties tagged with labour codes based on the respect for the dignity of labour,
which is the right to health and safety at workplace and the most paramount to this
paper.
In fairness to the legislative arm of the Federation, Nigeria has formulated laws
aimed at ensuring the protection of the rights of workers starting with Section 17 (3)
(b) (c) of the 1999 Constitution which stipulates that an employer is expected to
provide a safe working environment, equipment and procedure that is devoid of risk
to the employees’ wellbeing. Similarly, where an employee perceives a workplace to
be dangerous to his health, he has the right to discontinue with such an engagement.
Furthermore, there are other laws promulgated to provide protection for the
workers’ health and safety, which include:

Factories Act 2004

This act is the primary legislation for the protection of the safety, health and
welfare of workers. It provides for the health, safety and welfare of the workers
exposed to occupational hazards by taking measures to prevent accidents and
injuries. The Act includes the following:

 Part I deals with Registration of Factories: Registration of new and existing factories etc
 Part II which includes issues such as cleanliness, overcrowding, ventilation, lighting,
drainage, sanitary conveniences and the duty of inspectors as to
sanitary defects;
 Part III comprises of general safety provisions for workers working with
 machines and other equipment;
 Part V deals with special provisions and regulations on health, safety and
welfare;
 Part VI provides for notification, investigation of accidents and industrial
diseases;
 Part X states provisions that deal with offences, penalties and legal
proceedings.
Specifically, with reference to Part III of the Factory Act 2004, which comprise
Sections 14 – 39, the regulation stipulated safety precautions that must be adhered to
regarding the interaction between employees and work facilities. These areas require
keen attention in ensuring employer’s compliance, because every work process
require certain degree of mastery before attaining a given level of efficiency.
Additionally, it is worthy of note that attainment of mastery in the use of certain
work facility does not guarantee absolute exoneration of injury at work place. So
employers should give routine updates of risk prone work facilities to their
employees to reduce hazard that might occur by common avoidable mistakes.
Employers should provide fire extinguishers and fire alarms at strategic
locations and train personnel on how to fight fire incidents in case of eventuality.
Unfortunately, as good as Part IV of the Factories Act appear, they are
insufficient as there is no provision compelling employers to make full medical
insurance available to workers. Employers should be made to provide different
degrees of HMOs covering workers as this is in accordance with Section 17 (3) (d)
of the 1999 Constitution which states that the employer must provide adequate
medical and health facilities to her employees.
Furthermore, Sections 51, 52 and 53 (Part VI) of the Factories Act, stipulate that
employers should notify institutional agency of accidents within a period of three
days from the day of occurrence. And any employer who fails to report an accident
under this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a
fine not exceeding N1000. This fine is grossly inadequate because it reduces the
value of the employee whose life is at the frontline. This implies that a firm with
worrisome incident might deliberately flout these laws because the consequence of
violation is trivial. This fine should be repealed with a greater penalty capable of
discouraging trivial handling of accidents at workplace.

Minerals Oil Safety Regulation 1997

This is another health and safety regulation enacted by the Ministry of
Petroleum Resources through the power vested on it by Section 9 of the Petroleum
Act. The regulation stipulates those employers in the oil and gas industries are to
ensure that safety equipment is provided for workers. The regulation further stated
that failure to comply with any aspect of the regulation is guilty and liable of being
convicted to a fine of not more than N250,000 or not more than 5 years in
imprisonment or both.
Harmful Waste Act 2004
The Law prohibits all transaction of harmful waste, except such transaction is
done with a legitimate authority.

Issues and challenges facing the Factories Act

This work intends to look at the challenges that factories are facing to ensure
that the health safety and welfare of their workers are guaranteed. Amongst them
are:
1. Lack of proper supervision. The Factories Act of 2004 mandated all
factories to provide report of occupational accidents to the Federal Ministry
of Labour and Productivity Inspectorate Division (FMLPID). According to
Umeokafor et al. (2013), records provided to the ministry are not followed up
for further analysis which can help to understand work processes in each
firm, thereby making it easy for them to take requisite actions that will help
forestall such.
2. Lack of punitive actions on defaulters. The fact that the occurrence of
accidents, according to Ezenwa (2001) and Umeokafor, Allen and Umeadi
(2014) findings, is on the increase is an indication that defaulting employers
are not punished appropriately to serve as a deterrent to others.
3. Limited job opportunities. The labour supply in Nigeria is geometrically
greater than the jobs available to absorb them all and this has empowered
employers to disregard abiding by the tenet of the laws. On the other hand,
because of insufficient jobs, employees compromise demanding for their full
rights according to the law in order to secure the job at hand. This has
resulted in making workers unable to form or sustain a union within an
organization.
4. Lack of employee’s awareness of their rights and privileges. Most
workers are ignorant of the dictates stipulated in the Labour law and are not
conversant with the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, let alone the Acts available for safety, health and welfare of workers.
This makes employers get away with certain actions that could have been
compensated for if brought before a court of competent jurisdiction.

Welfare facilities in a workplace-What the Nigeria factory law says about It.

Welfare facilities and provisions in a workplace are the responsibility of the employer. First of
all, The Factories Act Cap F1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 was solely enacted for the
protection of the occupational safety and health of Nigerian workers in all occupations.

This law has requirements for factory workers and other professionals endangered
by occupational hazards with the needed safety and penalties when there is any breach of the act.
Section 40-44 of the act gave an explicit provision of welfare facilities in the workplace.

Minimum Welfare Standards to have in the workplace

1. Toilet facilities.

A toilet facility is essential in the workplace. Mostly, the workers should have a place to empty
their bowels whenever there is a need for such. There has to be an adequate number of toilets
that will serve the workers present. Toilets for men should be separate from that for women.
They should be maintained clean at all times.

The toilet facility has to be protected from the weather with proper ventilation and illumination.
The floor of the toilet has to be free from water to avoid slip hazards. Disabled workers are to be
taken into consideration in the provisions of the toilet.
2. Washing facilities.

The presence of washing facilities is essential in the workplace. It has to be very accessible to
workers. Washing facilities with a shower depending on the nature of the work where workers
need to take a shower as a reason for their work. Workers most times need to take a shower if the
work is dirty, strenuous, and involves potential contamination with hazardous substances.
Washing facilities to have soaps, running water, a towel, and a means of drying the clothes.

Section 41(1)of Nigeria factories act- There shall be provided and maintained for the use of all
persons employed adequate and suitable facilities for washing which shall be conveniently
accessible and shall be kept in clean and orderly condition.

3. Drinking water.

The provision of clean drinking water is essential in the workplace.It has to be accessible to all.
Portable water or nonportable one may be present. There should be a separation between the two
water, and it has to be labelled.

Section 40 (1) of Nigeria factories act -an adequate supply of drinking water shall be provided
and maintained at suitable points conveniently accessible to all persons employed.

Section 40(2) of Nigeria factories act -supply of drinking water which is not laid on shall be
contained in suitable vessels and shall be renewed at least daily, and all practicable steps shall
be taken to preserve the water and vessels from contamination; and a drinking water supply
( whether laid on or not ) shall, in such cases as an inspector may direct, be clearly indicated by
a notice in English and in such Nigeria languages as the inspector may require.

Section 40(3) a supply of drinking water shall not be used for the purpose of washing up, and a
supply of water for washing up shall not be used as drinking water.

Section 40(4) the location of drinking water shall be set apart from the location of water for
washing up.

4. Accommodation for clothing.

There have to be lockers or storage facilities for workers to keep their clothes. This will make it
secure and clean. There has to be separate storage for the clean cloth and dirty ones to avoid or to
prevent cross-contamination.

Section 43 of Nigeria factories act- There shall be provided and maintained for the use of all
persons employed adequate and suitable accommodation for clothing not worn during
working hours.

5. There has to be a changing room.

Changing rooms cater for workers to change into special workwear. They have to undress in
such a room. Adequate provision has to be made for such a room to be clean, neat, and
adequately lit with proper ventilation. There have to be separate facilities for men and women.

6. Resting and eating facilities.

Workers should have accessible areas where they can take a break away from work activities.
They have to have a sufficient sitting and be away from hazardous exposures from work.
However, eating facilities should be made available as well. Those places have to be hygienic.
There have to be arrangements for food and drinks in those facilities. Smoking facilities have to
be made available to protect non-smokers from second-hand smoke.

7. First aid facilities.

This is vital for any company. It caters to emergency treatment for an injured worker. First aid is
done before mobilizing the victim to a hospital. In some cases, there has to be an ambulance
present in the company depending on the size of the company’s employees. The factory act gave
an exemption of the first aid box if there is an ambulance room present in the workplace.

Section 43 (1) of the Nigerian factories act- There shall be provided and maintained so as to be
readily accessible a first aid box or a cupboard of the prescribed standard, and where more than
one hundred and fifty persons are employed an additional box or cupboard for every additional
one hundred and fifty persons.

Section 42(2) for the purposes of the subsection one of this section the number of persons
employed in factory shall be taken to be the largest number of persons employed therein at any
one time, and any fraction of one hundred and fifty shall be reckoned as one hundred and fifty,
so however, that where the persons employed are employed in shifts the calculation of the
number employed should be according to the largest number at work at any given shift.

Section 44 -exemption if an ambulance room is provided at the factory and such arrangements
are made as to ensure the immediate treatment there of all injuries occurring in the factory,the
director of factories may by certificate in writing exempt the factory from the requirements of
section 43 of this act to such extent and subject to such conditions as he may specify in the
certificate.

Occupational Health Services Convention 1985 No.161 provides for the establishment of
enterprise-level occupational health services which are entrusted with essentially preventive
functions and which are responsible for advising the employer, the workers and their
representatives in the enterprise on maintaining a safe and healthy working environment.

Health and work activities are interdependent. Although it is generally agreed that work helps to
keep an individual in good health as long as it does not overtax his physical and mental
capacities, various factors inherent in work can have harmful effects on workers' health: the type
of work done, the physical and mental effort involved, the materials and products used, the
nature of the working environment, the conditions in which the work is performed and how it is
organized.

The protection of the worker against sickness, disease, and injury arising out of employment is
one of the main objectives of the ILO. Over the years, the concern for the protection of the
worker has evolved to assume a broader coverage of the fundamental objectives embodied in the
ILO Constitution and the Declaration of Philadelphia. The 1984 International Labour Conference
Resolution concerning the improvement of the working conditions and environment laid down
the following principles:
Work should take place in a safe and healthy working environment; conditions of work should
be consistent with workers' well-being and human dignity; work should offer real possibilities
for personal achievement, self-fulfillment, and service to society.

The ILO develops international labour standards in the field of safety and health at work to guide
governments in setting national laws and regulations and enforcing their application at the workplace.
Employers and workers and their organizations also have the framework to improve working conditions
and occupational safety and health.

The ILO Convention on Occupational Safety and Health, 1981 (No.155) defines health in
relation to work as not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, it also includes the physical and
mental elements affecting health that are directly related to safety and hygiene at work.

Since 1950, the ILO and the WHO have a common definition of occupational health. This
definition was adopted by the Joint ILO/WHO Committee on Occupational Health at its first
session (1950) and revised at its twelfth session (1995):

Occupational health should aim at: the promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of
physical, mental, and social well-being of workers in all occupations; the prevention amongst
workers of departures from health caused by their working conditions; the protection of workers
in their employment from risks resulting from factors adverse to health; the placing and
maintenance of the worker in an occupational environment adapted to his physiological and
psychological capabilities and, to summarize, the adaptation of work to man and of each man to
his job.

The focus in occupational health is on the three different objectives: (i) the maintenance and
promotion of workers' health and working capacity; (ii) the improvement of working
environment and work to become conducive to safety and health; and (iii) the development of
work organizations and working cultures in a direction which supports health and safety at work
and in doing so also promotes positive social climate and smooth operation and may enhance the
productivity of the undertakings. The concept of working culture is intended in this context to
mean a reflection of the essential value systems adopted by the undertaking concerned. Such a
culture is reflected in practice in the managerial systems, personnel policy, principles for
participation, training policies, and quality management of the undertaking.

Occupational health activities cover the whole spectrum of activities undertaken by employers,
workers and their organizations, designers and architects, manufacturers and suppliers,
occupational health professionals and practitioners, legislators and parliamentarians, labour and
health inspectors, work analysts and work organization specialists, standardization organizations,
universities and research institutions to protect workers’ health and to promote safety and health
at work.

There are more than 35 up-to-date ILO instruments directly relevant to the health and safety of
workers at work. The general principles and policies on occupational health are essentially
contained in the following three ILO Conventions and their accompanying Recommendations:

 The Convention on Occupational Safety and Health (No.155) and its Recommendation
(No. 164) provide for the adoption of a national occupational safety and health policy
and describe the actions needed at national and enterprise levels to promote occupational
safety and health and to improve the working environment
 The Occupational Health Services Convention (No. 161) and its Recommendation (No.
171) provide for the establishment of occupational health services which will contribute
to the implementation of the occupational safety and health policy and will perform their
functions at the enterprise level
 The Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention (No.
187) and its Recommendation (No. 197) provide for a national policy, national system,
and national programme to promote continuous improvement of safety and health at work
to prevent occupational injuries, diseases, and deaths and to take active steps towards
achieving progressively a safe and healthy working environment by taking into account
the principles set out in the ILO relevant instruments.

At its 110th Session in June 2022, the International Labour Conference decided to amend
paragraph 2 of the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (1998) to
include “a safe and healthy working environment” as a fundamental principle and right at work,
and to make consequential amendments to the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair
Globalization (2008) and the Global Jobs Pact (2009).

The International Labour Conference also decided to designate the Occupational Safety and
Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) and the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety
and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187) as fundamental Conventions, in line with its decision to
recognize the right to a safe and healthy working environment as one of the fundamental
principles and rights at work. ILO Member States, regardless of their level of economic
development, commit to respect and promote these principles and rights, whether or not they
have ratified the relevant fundamental Conventions.

EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION ACT (ECA) 2010

The Employee Compensation Act (ECA) 2010 makes comprehensive provisions for the
payment of compensation to employees who suffer from occupational diseases or sustain
injuries arising from accidents at the workplace or in the course of employment.

This Act was enacted to address the patent errors, loopholes and some other area
not covered and repeals the Workmen Compensation Act of 2004.
The Act provides a shield and guides the employees who suffer from
occupational diseases or sustain injuries arising from accidents at the workplace or
in the course of discharging their duties in the workplace or off workplace but sent
by the employer. This Act applies to all employers and employees in the public and
private sectors in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
This Act was enacted to equip the employee with a fair and guaranteed
compensation for them or their dependent in case of any bad occurrence that may
occur during the course of discharging their duties. It also caters for rehabilitation of
workers when they encounter work-related disabilities. It establishes and maintains a
solvent compensation fund which is done in the employees’ interest.
The Employee Compensation Act, of 2010, is a social security/welfare scheme that
provides comprehensive compensation to employees who suffer from occupational
diseases or sustain injuries arising from accidents at the workplace or in the course of
employment. The basis or justification for ‘compensation’ is the employer’s duty of care.
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE ACT
The Employee’s Compensation Act opens with the objectives of the act as provided for
in Section 1 as follows:
 Provide for an open and fair system of guaranteed and adequate compensation
for all employees or their dependants for any death, injury, disease, or disability
arising out of or in the course of employment;
 Provide rehabilitation to employees with work-related disabilities as provided in
the Act;
 Establish and maintain a solvent compensation fund managed in the interest of
employees and employers;
 Provide a fair and adequate assessment for employers;
 Provide an appeal procedure that is simple, fair, and accessible, with minimum
delays; and
 Combine efforts and resources of relevant stakeholders for the prevention of
workplace disabilities, including the enforcement of occupational safety and
health standards.
KEY COMPONENTS OF THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK INCLUDE:
1. Scope and Application: The Employee Compensation Act applies to all
employers and employees in both the public and private sectors, with limited
exemptions for certain categories of workers e.g., members of the armed forces
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Sections 2 and 3 of the Act
2. No-Fault Compensation: The Act establishes a no-fault compensation scheme,
meaning that compensation is provided regardless of who is at fault in a
workplace incident. This approach expedites the compensation process and
minimizes legal disputes.
3. Compensable Injuries: The legislation defines compensable injuries as those
arising out of or in the course of employment. This includes injuries sustained
during work hours, on the employer’s premises, or while performing job-related
tasks. Section 11 of the Act
4. Benefits and Compensation Structure: The Act outlines the types of benefits
employees are entitled to in case of injuries, disabilities, or death. These benefits
include medical expenses, temporary or permanent disability benefits, and
 survivor benefits for dependents in the event of a work-related fatality. Section 7
– 10 of the Act
Notably, the provision of Section 7 of the Act widens the scope of liability of an
Employer to the Employee, providing that:
Section 7
(1) Any employee, whether or not in a workplace, who suffers any disabling injury
arising out of or in the course of employment shall be entitled to payment of
compensation by Part IV of this Act.
(2) An employee is entitled to payment of compensation concerning any accident
sustained while on the way between the place of work and:
(a) the employee’s principal or secondary residence
(b) the place where the employee usually takes meals; or
(c) the place where he usually receives remuneration provided that the employer has
prior notification of such a place.
5. Scale of Compensation: The scale of compensation for an injury, disease, or
death suffered in the course of employment is provided under Part IV of the Act.
Section 17 of the Act provides for compensation in fatal cases, stating that where
death results from an injury of an employee, compensation shall be paid to the
dependents of the deceased. The compensation paid to the employee’s
widow(er) or children ranges from 30% – 90% of the employee’s total monthly
remuneration as of the date of death, although this is dependent on the
circumstances of the dependents. Section 17 – 25 of the Act. Where the
compensation offer is accepted, this further bars the affected employee or his
siblings from instituting any legal action against the employer in respect of the
same subject matter.
6. Employer’s Liability: Employers are held liable for providing compensation to
employees affected by work-related incidents. The Act specifies the obligations of
employers in promptly reporting accidents, facilitating medical examinations,
and ensuring compliance with the compensation process. Section 5 of the Act
7. Establishment of the Employees Compensation Fund: The legislation
mandates the creation of the Employees Compensation Fund, managed by the
Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). The fund serves as the financial pool
from which compensation payments are made to eligible employees. Section 56
– 63 of the Act
8. Compensation Administration: The Act establishes the administrative
structure for the implementation of the compensation scheme. This includes the
 role of the NSITF in managing the fund, adjudicating claims, and overseeing the
overall compensation process. Sections 31 and 32 of the Act
One notable achievement is the clear articulation of the compensation process,
providing a structured mechanism for addressing work-related incidents. The legislation
establishes a no-fault compensation scheme, shifting the focus from attributing blame
to swiftly compensating employees. This is a positive departure from traditional legal
processes that could be protracted and adversarial.
CHALLENGES AND REALITIES
However, the effectiveness of these laws faces challenges in practical implementation.
Delays in the disbursement of compensation and disputes over the extent of liability are
issues that need attention. The administrative hurdles and complexities in navigating
the compensation process sometimes hinder the timely delivery of benefits to affected
employees.
Furthermore, the scope of these laws may need to advance to address the changing
nature of work. The rise of non-traditional employment arrangements, such as gig work
and freelancing, presents new challenges in defining employer-employee relationships
and determining liability in the event of work-related incidents.
To enhance the impact of Employee Compensation laws in Nigeria, there is a need for
strengthened enforcement mechanisms. This involves ensuring that employers are
aware of their obligations and are held accountable for compliance. Furthermore,
streamlined and efficient processes for filing and adjudicating compensation claims can
contribute to a more expeditious resolution of cases.
Public awareness campaigns can also play a crucial role in informing both employers
and employees about their rights and responsibilities under these laws. Improved
awareness can contribute to a culture of safety in workplaces and empower workers to
assert their rights when necessary.
Despite the existence of robust legal frameworks, several challenges persist in the
realm of employee compensation in Nigeria. Enforcement of labor laws can be
inconsistent, especially in smaller enterprises or informal sectors where oversight is
limited. This inconsistency sometimes leads to exploitation and unfair practices, such as
inadequate wages or denial of benefits.
Moreover, the complex nature of the labor market, including issues like contract work,
outsourcing, freelancing, and gig employment, poses challenges in defining and
ensuring fair compensation. The evolving nature of work requires continuous adaptation
of legal frameworks to address emerging trends and protect the rights of all workers.
CONCLUSION
Employee compensation laws in Nigeria provide a crucial foundation for ensuring fair
and just remuneration. However, the practical realities highlight the need for ongoing
efforts to strengthen enforcement mechanisms, address emerging challenges, and
foster a culture of compliance. Employers and employees alike must stay informed
about their rights and obligations to contribute to a work environment where
compensation is not just a legal requirement but a reflection of dignity and fairness in
the workplace. Commendably, the Federal Government of Nigeria issued a circular for
the commencement of the mandatory contribution of one percent of the emoluments of
all public servants to the Employees’ Compensation Scheme of the Nigeria Social
Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF. This should also be emulated by employers in the private
sector.