National University of Sciences and Technology conducted an international workshop on Occupational Safety and Health Training for Owners, Constructors, Consultants and Administrators on the other day to introduce safety culture and management. Member Implementation and Monitoring, Planning Commission of Pakistan Lieutenant General Shahid Niaz HI (M) (Retd) was the chief guest.
The two-day workshop aimed at introducing the audience with safety culture, hazards, safety practices, safety training, safety management and OSHA standards. It helped a great deal in identifying problems of safety in the construction industry, suggest remedial measures and create awareness among managers, engineers, contractors, consultants, government agencies, development organisations and academia.
The ideas of 'zero accident techniques' and 'best practices to ensure zero accidents on construction sites' were well-acknowledged by the participants of the workshop. The thought-provoking presentation sessions by the eminent scholars namely Dr Jimmie W Hinze, Professor Dr Sharif Mohammad, Professor Dr Salman Azhar, Professor Dr Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saeed Awan, Pro Dr Rizwan ul Haq Farooqui, Dr Zainab Riaz and Professor Dr Rafiq Muhammad Chaudhary made the workshop a great success.
Pro Rector NUST Engr Shahid Maqbool touching the ethical side of the issue emphasised to view the entire phenomenon through a social angle. He was of the view that the social ties on a professional were far stronger than the professional obligations.
Speaking at the occasion, the chief guest Shahid Niaz remarked that it was quite ironical that most of the project managers and the business professionals generally had the least idea of their responsibilities regarding occupational health and safety management.