AGL Commemorates World’s Safety Day

By Zainab Sunkary Koroma

The African Global Logistics Sierra Leone (AGL) on Tuesday 30th April 2024,commemorated World’s Safety Day, at its headquarters in Freetown on the theme “Safety and Health at Work”
World Day for Safety and Health at Work is a UN international day that is celebrated every April 28. It is concerned about safe work and awareness of the dimensions and consequences of work-related accidents and diseases; to place occupational safety and health (OSH) on the international and national agendas; and to provide support to the national efforts for the improvement of national OSH systems and programmes in line with relevant international labor standards.

Maroun Abi Aad the General Manager at Freetown Terminal Limited stated that World’s Safety Day is an important day to them as their line of work is mostly risky and safety is a most and that why they have 14 gold rules because at Freetown Terminal Limited safety is taken very seriously. That why they commemorate this day every year.
He continues to say the reason why they raise awareness about the importance of voluntary blood donation and encourage there staff to donate as it the duty of everyone to make sure there is blood in every health center

Andrea Haffner Environmental specialist at CEMMATS stated that Climate Change has become a reality much faster than all scenarios predicted. Climate change is not just an environmental issue, as too many people still believe. It is an all-encompassing threat, to health, to agriculture, to peace and security, to the very ground milions of people live on, to the global economy. We are now at a point where even the last government has given up denying this reality.
Years ago, when experts were still in disagreement over the forces that drive climate change and utilized different climate models to simulate its future impact, most of these findings were irrelevant to the average citizen. Flash forward to the present day and we have gone past climate change predictions.

She further that, as everyone is now experiencing extreme weather events on an increasingly frequent and intense basis, there is no longer the question of proving that climate change exists. Prolonged droughts, wildfires, and stronger storms have become the world’s new normal, and climate change is establishing strength enough to threaten developing and developed nations alike.

Patrick B. Sannoh QHSE Manager in statement said human health has always been influenced by climate and weather. Changes in climate and climate variability lead to extreme weather conditions and affects the environment that provides humans with clean air, food, water, shelter, and security. The influences of climate on human health are varied and can be significant. The exposure pathways differ over time and according to the location. Workers particularly are more exposed to climate change hazards, yet unfortunately have no choice but to continue working to make a living to survive and cater to their needs and dependants.
Already, serious impacts have been identified on the safety and health of workers in all regions of the world as a result of higher ambient temperatures, indoor and outdoor air pollution, ultraviolet radiation exposure, extreme weather effects, etc. which leads to numerous health conditions including cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses and mental health conditions, among many others (ILO 2023). In general, pregnant women, children, older adults and persons with disabilities are more vulnerable to health stressors such as extreme heat, air pollution and other climate-related events.
It is evident that measures must be taken now to protect workers from further exposure to the effects of climate change. A full understanding of the Climate Change phenomenon is a required preliminary step for this process.

Professionalism in cargo handling and accountability has been Freetown Terminal Limited’s strength. Its rates are well interpreted in Leones and reflect the current Bank of Sierra Leone (BSL) market rate. FTL thrives and prides itself on proper service delivery. It works with clients to solve all shipping worries by giving expert advice and remaining the leading port operator in the country, for which its objectives are Efficient operation, effective service delivery, and unparalleled customer service.