The Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), Ogun State branch, has urged government and employers to redefine workplace safety beyond physical hazards.
In a statement released by the Chairman, ISPON Ogun State Chapter, Temitope Amoo, in commemoration of the 2026 World Safety Day, he stressed that mental health, stress, and environmental factors now threaten worker productivity in the state’s industrial sector.
He noted that safety is beyond physical well-being, which includes the use of protective equipment, accident prevention and compliance measures.
Amoo emphasised that emerging realities demand that we look beyond physical but mental stress.
He bemoaned that psychosocial risks, stress, fatigue, burnout and mental health challenges have become significant threats to worker well-being and productivity.
The ISPON Ogun branch chairman bemoaned that psychosocial risk, stress, fatigue, and mental health challenges is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of workers annually, which, according to him, pose serious economic consequences.
He, however, called for a shift from ‘safety by enforcement ‘ to ‘safety by design ‘ to protect both the physical and psychological well-being of Ogun’s workforce.
‘Gateway Factor of long commutes, demanding schedules, and poor infrastructure leaves many workers mentally and physically drained before shifts start.’
‘As the world commemorates the 2026 World Day for Safety and Health at Work, it is imperative that we rethink what workplace safety truly means, particularly in a strategic industrial hub like Ogun State.
‘In Ogun State, the challenge is even more complex. The unique pressures of our industrial ecosystem-long commuting hours, demanding work schedules, and infrastructural limitations-create what can be described as a ‘Gateway Factor’ of stress.
‘Furthermore, environmental conditions such as noise pollution and air quality concerns continue to compound these risks, making it clear that a safe workplace cannot exist in an unhealthy environment.
‘To address these realities, there must be a deliberate shift from ‘Safety by Enforcement’ to ‘Safety by Design’. Employers and stakeholders must prioritise not only physical safety but also the psychological and emotional well-being of workers.
‘This includes promoting fair work conditions, respecting work-life balance, and integrating environmental considerations into safety frameworks.
‘As safety professionals, we call on government, employers, and industry stakeholders to demonstrate courage and commitment in building safer, healthier workplaces. The future of our industrial growth depends on a workforce that is not only protected from harm but also supported to thrive. A safe worker is a productive worker and ultimately, a stronger nation is built on a healthier workforce,’ the statement reads.