Daystar University launches Health and Safety Committee

By Victoria Mumbi

[Athi River, Wednesday September 20, 2024] The Daystar University Workplace Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Committee underwent an intense three-day training from September 18-20 at the Main Campus Athi River.

The training was hosted by the Human Resource Department led by Senior HR Officer Ms. Esca Juma, and facilitated by the Federation of Kenya Employers.  The FKE officials who facilitated the training included Jacinta Wairau, Mwanahawa Ali and Leyian C. Seki.

The training focused on equipping Daystar staff, drawn from different departments, with the knowledge, skills, and tools to create and maintain a safe and healthy environment for all employees, students and visitors.

The training covered key elements such as OSH regulations and compliance, hazard identification and risk assessment, incident reporting, emergency preparedness, and the role of the OSH committee in promoting a safety culture within the university.

On the first day, Mwanahawa Ali expounded on OSH legislation, OSH policy, committee rules, workplace hazards, safe work procedures, personal protective equipment.

On the second day, Leyian C. Seki handled Work Injury Benefits Act (WIBA), Social Health Insurance Scheme, fire safety, machinery/plant safety, electrical safety, chemical safety, occupational diseases, accident causation and management, accident reporting, recording and investigation.

On the third day, Leyian C. Seki discussed how to manage stress, how to deal with alcoholism, drug abuse and HIV/AIDS at the workplace, first-aid management, workplace inspection techniques, workplace inspection and report writing.

On the last day, the committee was divided into groups to conduct inspection of different parts of the University which included the cafeteria, DUPA hostel, the Medical Clinic, the Gym, ICT Building.

From the inspection exercise, the groups identified several hazards, prepared reports and presented their findings.

The facilitators urged participants to ensure that whatever they wrote on the reports was conceptualized.

The training followed the Daystar University Health and Safety Committee (HSC) official launch, which was held on July 25, 2024 by the DVC FAP, Prof. Muturi Wachira.

Back in July, Prof. Wachira challenged the committee to adopt an integrated approach from different departments and arms of the University if safety is to be realized. He noted that putting the HSC was timely, as it would complement ISO certification efforts which the Management is working towards. Prof. Wachira reiterated his commitment to supporting the Committee.

In compliance with the requirements of Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 2007 regulations, occupational safety and health (OSH) abstracts have been put in placed in strategic locations on both campuses. The HSC will be seeking to promote the highest degree of health for all members of the Daystar community, including all staff, students, and visitors.

The mandate of HSC, among other things, will be to conduct safety and health inspections, identify any dangerous occurrences and make recommendations, identify occupational hazards, conduct seminars and workers’ education programmes, and organize activities that promote health and safety.

Occupational Safety and Health is a set of practices, policies, and regulations designed to protect the health, safety, and well-being of workers in the workplace. OSH aims to prevent workplace accidents, injuries, and illnesses by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing control measures.

The training was attended by 23 staff members drawn from different departments. Members of the HSC committee are: Dr. Dorothy Kagwaini, Dr. Emily Sitati, Maurice Masiga, Eunice Waithera, Alex Mutuku, Thomas Makunda, CPA Jennifer Kinoti, Oliver Kisia, Telvin Ambani, Cerry Jemutai, Ann Mutinda and Collins Kirui.