The Lagos State Safety Commission (LSC) has established a partnership with the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), Nigeria Chapter, as part of its 2022 Zero Accident Campaign (ZAC) on occupational safety risk assessment of high-rise buildings across the state.
The move is to proactively address ineffective safety management systems across such facilities within the state.
Over the years, the absence of leadership commitment to safety issues, non-compliance to standards and guidelines as well as poor emergency preparedness plans have contributed to accidents such as fire and building collapses in high-rise buildings.
Speaking on the initiative, LSC Director-General, Lanre Mojola, explained that the sensitisation and commencement of risk assessment at high-rise buildings would help reduce physical injuries, fatalities and property damage that may lead to lawsuits and reputational damage.
He said the sensitisation is a key step to up-scale awareness among relevant stakeholders on the need for adequate safety protocols at high-rise facilities.
Accidents at high-rise buildings, he said, often lead to fatalities, physical injuries and loss of properties, which are avoidable if effective safety management systems are in place.
He said the scope of assessments will include risks associated with fire, vertical transportation equipment, explosions arising from chemical/hazards storage; persons trapped in lifts and disease outbreaks among others.
Omojola called for support from property owners, occupants and residents of high-rise buildings for the success of the exercise.
He expressed confidence in partnership with IFMA as a capable association to co-drive the initiative.
IFMA President, Nigeria Chapter, Mr. Segun Adebayo, commended the commission for the laudable move and assured of their readiness to work with professional and technical team to achieve the purpose and objective of the task.
He argued that the initiative is in line with the renewed purpose of IFMA to ensure strategic collaboration with public institutions for the excellent operation of facility management practice in the built environment.
Adebayo said: “The collaboration of LSC and IFMA Nigeria will help to reduce risks associated with the built environment. It is expected that this risk assessment exercise will lead to various implementable recommendations proffered by accredited professionals.”
He added that with the combined expertise of professional members and the leverage on technical acumen and global exposures, IFMA Nigeria would be co-driving the sensitisation and development of an applicable risk assessment framework.
“IFMA will also put together templates to identify hazards associated with high-rise buildings and determine the risk level. They would also evaluate and review the risk assessment and management process of high-rise buildings within the state. It is hoped that the state will soon record minimal challenges related to high-rise buildings after the sensitisation is conducted,” he said.