Human Resource (HR) professionals have called on organisations to strengthen workplace safety protocols following the recent fire at UBA Afrilandbuilding in Lagos, which claimed ten lives and left several others injured and hospitalised.
Speaking with Anchor News Online, HR consultant Omotoyosi Aina emphasised the importance of preventive measures, including installing smoke detectors and fire extinguishers across office spaces.
Another expert, Michael Obison, stressed the need for regular employee training on emergency exit routes.
“Workers must know which exit to use depending on their location. For example, if they are at the cafeteria, they shouldn’t attempt to return to their offices to use another exit; they should use the nearest one,” he advised.
Obison further urged companies to conduct quarterly fire drills in partnership with fire agencies to enhance preparedness and response times during emergencies.
Both experts noted that HR departments have a duty to safeguard employees’ welfare and should place health and safety policies at the heart of organisational priorities.
In separate statements, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and United Capital Pls announced the loss of six and four members of staff respectively in the unfortunate incident, which has forced the authorities to shut down the building.
