TIPS

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HSSE TIPS FOR THE YULETIDE SEASON

1. Avoid spaces that are CLOSED, CROWDED or involve CLOSE CONTACT;

Viral outbreaks have been often reported in crowded indoor settings where people talk loudly, shout, breathe heavily or sing. These environments are where the virus appears to spread by respiratory droplets or aerosols more efficiently, as they are crowded and inadequately ventilated. Meet people outside as much as possible. Outdoor gatherings are safer than indoor ones, particularly if indoor spaces are small and may not have cross ventilation.

2. Be conscious of your surrounding;

The best way to keep yourself safe is to be aware of your surroundings. The more familiar you are with your responsibilities, neighborhood, workplace and hangouts, the more aware you would be of the potential hazards around you. Knowing your surroundings and being aware of potential hazards will help you, your family and co-workers avoid unnecessary or dangerous situations.

3. Always use Personal Protective Equipment;

Endeavor to always wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Whether it is as small as earphones, or as large as a coverall suit, this PPE exists for a reason and as the name implies it is meant to protect you. Business owners are to also ensure their employees have adequate training on the need to stay safe and reduce risk.

4. Wear Protective Cloths;

Excessive exposure to the cold and dust that comes with the harmattan can increase the risk of illnesses like pneumonia, arthritis and rheumatism. This season also causes catarrh, sore throat, sneezing and the possibility of cough so it is best to limit exposure to the dry winds and dust. Asthma patients should also make sure to have their inhalers within reach at all times. Also protect yourself from the cold by wearing more wool-based / thick cloths as against cotton which is common and mostly suitable for other seasons.

5. Safe Travels;

If you plan to travel during the holidays, ensure your neighbours around the house know that you are leaving your house and give them your contact number in case of emergency. If your domestic workers will be in your house during your period of absence, please remember to also inform your neighbours so that they can report any suspicious behavior or security breaches. Make sure security lights around the house are switched on starting from 6pm till the next morning. It is beneficial to have an extra set of safety tools such as safety chains and padlocks that are mounted in places which are likely to be burgled. These extra safety tools need to be installed before leaving the house. It is also advisable not to announce the duration or other personal details of your holiday on social media.

 

In conclusion, PLEASE STAY SAFE!!!!!!!!!

Articles  ·  Publications
Health, Safety, Security and Enviroment Tips

STRESS MANAGEMENT

The process of stress management cannot be overemphasized as it is one of the keys to a happy and successful life. While stress is inevitable, it is our individual responsibility to manage it using the following techniques.

  1. Taking breaks for Breathing Exercises (like sequentially breathing in and out) could prove helpful when under.
  2. Intentionally engage in the pursuit of happiness – Identify things / persons that make you.
  3. Know who you are and don’t lose that.
  4. Identify potential stressors and develop personalized coping mechanisms, as challenges would always arise.
  5. Make an effort to understand your supervisors and colleagues, as this could provide better synergy in your teams and help you manage them.
  6. Eat healthily and exercise.
  7. Get sufficient hours (7 – 9hours) of sleep daily; this is very essential to reduce stress.
  8. Build your faith.
  9. Feel free to discuss issues with trusted friends and family or Medical Professionals, as this may also be very helpful.

INFORMATION SECURITY

While the world is focused on the pandemic threat posed by COVID-19, cybercriminals around the world try undoubtedly to capitalize on the crisis by launching different kinds of malicious attacks: mainly phishing mails or virus.              

  1. Never share sensitive information of any kind with an unauthorized party or social media.
  2. Lock all devices when not in use
  3. Choose strong passwords which contain special symbols (&,%, # etc.), Uppercase, minimum of 8 characters and are alphanumeric. Don’t reuse your passwords.
  4. Be mindful of external devices and removable media (USB keys, Hard drives, CDs). Regularly back up important files to your preferred cloud storage (One Drive, Google Drive, DropBox etc.).
  5. Update software in a timely manner when prompted.
  6. Whilst travelling, your company assigned laptop or mobile phone might be lost or stolen. It is important to report all such losses ASAP to reduce the risk to the company and your colleagues.
  7. Always use anti-virus software
  8. To safeguard your privacy and security, disable tracking features such as auto sign-in, auto-fill and options to save passwords and payment methods.
  9. Report any suspicious email / web links and never open attached document of any format (pdf, docx, jpg…) or click on any link included in suspicious mails.
  10. Always confirm any prompts or requests for online financial transactions with your bank before proceeding.