Clerk of the Senate and Secretary to the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC), Mr. Jeremiah Nyegenye has challenged staff to be proactive in handling occupational hazards and risks to help minimize accidents, injuries, and other health related issues.

Mr. Nyegenye who was speaking during a special talk organized by the PSC Occupational Health and Safety Services (OSH) Committee said the a proactive approach would help staff think through, to imagine and to prepare appropriately to prevent such hazards from occuring.

"We have periodic inspection of the work place every three months for compliance. We do this to identify occupational hazards as well as cases of ill health among workers and to take appropriate action," Mr. Nyegenye said. 

Chairperson of the PSC OSH Committee Major (Rtd). Samson Sorobit reiterated that awareness amongst staff on occupational hazards is essential to help them fully undertake their core duties and promote productivity of the Parliamentary Service Commission. 

External facilitators who trained staff included the secretary at the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health (Doshs), Dr. Musa Nyangusi, Doshs Deputy Director, Dr. Mwanahawa Ali, Doshs head of Research and Training, Dr. Dennis Ochillo and Kenyatta University Lecturer, Dr. Peterson Warutere.

Dr. Nyangusi noted that there was a need for individual staff to understand their role in promoting occupational safety and to familiarize themselves with the relevant legal framework guiding the same.

Dr. Warutere asked staff to undertake early screening for life-threatening conditions such as cancer to reduce the health risks and corresponding financial other burdens to that come with late discovery of such conditions.