The 3rd West African Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (WASHEQ) Conference was successfully held in Lagos, Nigeria with the theme "Avoid being in the line of fire". The conference brought together stakeholders in occupational safety, health, environment and quality across industries in West Africa to share best practices for reducing workplace accidents. Presentations and sessions at the conference empowered safety managers and advisors on topics like emergency preparedness, environmental incidents, safety competence development and more. Awards were given to speakers and Mrs. Ella Tieku, founder of the SHEQ Foundation, for initiating the WASHEQ conference. The next WASHEQ conference will be held in August 2014 in Accra, Ghana.

1. Communiqué from the
3rd WASHEQ
CONFERENCE 2013

2. WASHEQ 2013 COMMUNIQUE
Safety Advocacy & Empowerment Foundation in conjunction with SHEQ Foundation successfully organized the 3rd West African
Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (WASHEQ) Conference, exhibition and awards on the theme “Avoid being in the line of
fire. This was the first time WASHEQ was being held in Lagos, previous editions of WASHEQ took place in Accra, Ghana.
The WASHEQ Conference, Exhibition and Awards is an annual gathering of stakeholders in the area of Occupational Safety,
Health, Environment and Quality across industries to deliberate and learn best practices in SHEQ (Safety, Health, Environment
and Quality), to help reduce workplace accidents.
The conference was chaired by Engineer Rabiu Suleiman the General Manager HSE, NNPC, other notable guest included the
Director General Lagos State Safety Commission, representative from the National Environmental Standards and Enforcement
Regulator, Director of Fire service, Lagos State, Sector Commander, Lagos Federal Road Safety Commission, and a representative
for the Minister of Labour. The keynote address was delivered by the chairman. Focal Point for WASHEQ in Nigeria, Engr. Jamiu
Badmos, said: “We brought this year’s conference to Nigeria because there are quality, health, safety and environment challenges
confronting the economy and we feel that holding it here would help address, and proffer solutions to these challenges, thereby
impacting on socioeconomic activities in Nigeria and by extension West Africa.”
Also in attendance were the representatives of professional regulatory bodies and institutes such as COREN, MAN, NIA, NITP,
NSE, Institute of Safety Professionals, Corporate Institute of Risk and Safety management, SON, NIOB, , NSE, TOPREC, NAICOM
The Lagos State Fire Service, Universities and other tertiary institutions.
Fayo Williams, the executive director of Rely supply presented a paper on Emergency Preparedness and Response, a
sustainable tool for preventing accidents, Ifeanyi Enebeli (environmental consultant, cares nig. Ltd) presented on the impact of
environmental incidents ,other topics covered included Safety competence development, comprehensive health screening and
safety culture in the construction industry. All sessions were designed to empower HSE Advisors and managers.
The Platinum sponsor of the event was Etisalat who provided all participants with a bag of goodies. Other sponsors included
CARES Nigeria and SMTS Nigeria who are previous sponsors of WASHEQ in Ghana. In total 10 enthusiastic exhibitors took part in
the event showcasing SHEQ products and best practices. The SMTS stand also held a raffle draw for 3 free NEBOSH IGC
courses and was worn by 2 Nigerians and a Ghanaian.
The awards ceremony of the conference saw all speakers receive an award, the initiator of the WASHEQ conference and founder
of SHEQ Foundation, Mrs Ella Tieku also received an award for initiating the conference. Participants expressed profound
appreciation to both Safety Advocacy & Empowerment Foundation and SHEQ Foundation for the immense professional benefits
the conference offered. The event was covered by the Nation Newspaper, Punch, Safety Record ,TVC, AIT, and Ray power.
For the first WASHEQ to be organized in Lagos, the conference committee were particularly pleased with the strong participation
from across Nigeria, with this high level of interest and enthusiasm, it shows the potential growth for this conference.
Excellent partnerships and alliances have been established and we would like to encourage each of you to continue your strong
support for SHEQ Foundation and Safety Advocacy & Empowerment Foundation so we can continue to provide a place and time
each year for the WASHEQ conference where you can be empowered . The next opportunity to attend WASHEQ will be in August
2014 in Accra, Ghana. Make plans now to attend!
For more detailed information about the 2013 and previous conference, please visit www.lanyrd.com where conference brochure
and presentations have been uploaded. Search using WASHEQ as the key word
Pictures from the event have been uploaded ,do well to tag yourself
www.facebook.com/sheqgh
For more information on SAEF activities in Nigeria please visit www.safetyadvocacy-ng.org

3. WASHEQ 2013 COMMUNIQUE
Pictures from the event ( presenters, participants, sponsors, awardees and exhibitors)