By Stella Azi
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has been urged to remain committed to ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System as a strategic tool for enhancing operational excellence, workplace safety and institutional efficiency.
The call was made by the Head, RMRDC/United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) ISO Training Centre, Engr. Nuhu Olarongbe Aduagba, during an online masterclass organized by the RMRDC Training School on July 7, 2026.
Delivering a presentation titled “Workplace Hazards, Emergency Preparedness and Response Masterclass on ISO 45001,” Engr. Aduagba emphasized that workplace safety remains a critical component of organizational excellence and effective hazard management, urging the Council to mainstream the ISO 45001 framework into its operational processes.
He described occupational health and safety as a global challenge, citing statistics from the International Labour Organization (ILO) which indicate that approximately 2.78 million workers die annually from work-related diseases and accidents, with work-related illnesses accounting for the greater proportion of fatalities.
You Might AlsoLike
The presentation pointed out that, over 374 million non-fatal work-related injuries and illnesses occur every year worldwide, many resulting in prolonged absence from work and reduced productivity.
He further pointed out that, the economic burden of workplace injuries and illnesses is enormous, with global losses estimated at nearly $3 trillion annually. More than 7,600 people die every day from work-related accidents or diseases. Adding that these figures stresses the urgent need for organizations to adopt internationally recognized occupational health and safety management systems.
Engr. Aduagba explained that ISO 45001 is the world’s first internationally recognized standard for Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Management Systems, replacing the former Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS 18001).
He noted that the standard provides organizations with a systematic framework for identifying workplace hazards, assessing risks and implementing preventive measures to reduce accidents and occupational illnesses.
According to him, the key objectives of ISO 45001 include preventing work-related injuries and diseases through proactive risk management, achieving zero harm and zero fatalities, promoting employee well-being, and addressing both physical and psychological workplace hazards.
He encouraged RMRDC to integrate the standard into its management systems to strengthen regulatory compliance, improve employee welfare, enhance organizational resilience and drive sustainable operational excellence.
Earlier in her opening remarks, the Dean of the RMRDC Training School, Dr. Ify Olife, explained that Operational Excellence Webinar series is one of the training school platforms for capacity building aimed at optimizing performance, reducing operational losses and achieving sustainable business successes.
Dr. Olife further disclosed that the ISO 45001 Masterclass supports preparation for the implementation of the Nigerian Manufacturing Enterprise Programme (N-MEP), a flagship initiative of RMRDC implemented in partnership with the Kaduna Business School to equip Nigerian youths and women with technical, entrepreneurial and business management skills.
According to her, the N-MEP is designed to accelerate industrialization, promote local value addition and strengthen Nigeria’s manufacturing sector through the development of globally competitive human capital.
She emphasized that the webinar which attracted participants from across the Council and other stakeholders, is expected to reinforcing RMRDC’s commitment to building a safety-conscious workforce and promoting international best practices that support productivity, innovation and sustainable industrial development in Nigeria.
