DistantNews
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

NRC prioritises mental well-being, workplace safety

From The Punch · (6m ago) English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) emphasized staff welfare and workplace safety, aligning with the global World Day for Safety and Health at Work.
  • Managing Director Kayode Opeifa highlighted the demanding nature of railway operations and the importance of psychosocial well-being for workers and organizational strength.
  • NRC plans to improve working conditions, expand welfare and medical services with a focus on mental health support, and foster a safer work environment.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has publicly reaffirmed its dedication to the well-being of its employees and the safety of its operations, coinciding with the global observance of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work. This initiative, spearheaded by Managing Director Kayode Opeifa, underscores a growing awareness within the corporation about the critical link between a healthy workforce and operational efficiency, particularly in a sector as demanding as rail transport.

Nigerians trust us to move them safely, and that trust begins with how safe and supported we feel at work.

— Kayode OpeifaStated in a release by the NRC's Chief Public Relations Officer, emphasizing the link between employee well-being and public trust.

Opeifa's address to staff across various routes, from the bustling Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge to the historic narrow gauge lines, highlighted the inherent stresses of railway work. Long shifts, night duties, and the constant pressure to adhere to strict schedules can take a significant toll on both physical and mental health. The NRC acknowledges that a fatigued or demoralized employee poses a direct risk to passenger safety, a responsibility Nigerians entrust them with daily. This focus on psychosocial well-being is a crucial step in ensuring that the trust placed in the NRC is upheld through a supported and vigilant workforce.

A tired driver, a distracted technician, or a demoralised station officer is a risk to the entire rail system.

— Kayode OpeifaHighlighting the safety implications of employee stress and fatigue in railway operations.

Internally, the corporation has been responsive to feedback from safety forums and engagement sessions, recognizing concerns about heavy workloads, irregular shifts, and inadequate facilities at remote stations. The commitment to integrate psychosocial safety into its broader strategy, coupled with plans to enhance working conditions and mental health support, signals a proactive approach. For Nigerians, this means a railway system that is not only about tracks and trains but also about the people operating them, ensuring that safety is paramount from the control room to the driver's cab. The NRC's message, 'Silence is not safety,' is a powerful call for open communication and mutual support within the organization.

Silence is not safety.

— Kayode OpeifaEmphasizing the need for employees to speak up about mental health challenges and psychosocial risks.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog