COVID-19: LASG Issues Occupational Health, Safety Sectorial Guidelines

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the safety of its citizenry following the outbreak of COVID-19 global pandemic, just as it issued additional Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) sectorial guidelines on easing the lockdown on businesses in Lagos State.

A statement issued on Tuesday , by the Director-General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, noted that the OSH guidelines cover several sectors such as manufacturing, construction, retail outlets and shopping malls, eateries and restaurants, food packaging businesses, financial institutions as well as the informal sector.

He emphasised the need for business operators to adhere strictly to safety guidelines, adding that apart from frequent washing of hands with soap and water, or the use of alcohol-based sanitizers, meetings should begin with a safety moment while the use of face masks must be mandatory.

The Director-General urged all and sundry to cooperate with the State Government in ensuring adherence to all safety guidelines to curb the community transmission of the global pandemic.

While maintaining that the Lagos State Safety Commission was established to develop and formulate policies and strategies for a sustainable safety culture within the State, Mojola reiterated the Agency’s determination to ensure the safety of all residents.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government, on Tuesday, issued additional guidelines for the operations of all commercial, industrial, corporate and financial facilities recently reopened in the State.

Speaking at a virtual media briefing , the Honourable Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, said these guidelines were adopted to ensure that the community transmission of COVID-19 pandemic is curtailed.

Bello said the additional measures, which are in accordance with the Lagos State Public Health Law 2015 as well as Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law 2017, include decontamination of premises/facilities using government-certified outfits and approved disinfectants/fumigants; provision of personal hygiene facilities such as running water with soap for handwashing, digital thermometer, alcohol based sanitisers and face masks as well as adherence to 60 % of staff capacity to ensure physical distancing (for commercial, industrial facilities).

Others are strict adherence to proper cleaning and sanitation of the facility environment which includes proper storage and disposal of waste; installation of appropriate environmental, safety and warning signage for employees and customers advising clients about measures in place; reconfiguration of spaces to allow the required distance between employees and clients as well as the establishment of alternate means to serve customers wherever applicable.

While emphasising that the organisations must also plan work schedules to accommodate staggered shifts, in line with the guidelines of Lagos State Government and National Centre for Disease Control, Bello outlined the affected facilities such as supermarkets, stores, eateries, industrial facilities, bulk terminals, haulage companies, corporate and financial organisations.

The Commissioner also mentioned institutions like public and private schools across all tiers, government establishments, religious centres and private residential estates as those affected by the additional guidelines.