Visionary Reports

At SOCAPALM, occupational health and safety extend far beyond hard hats and high-vis vests, they demand rigorous risk management, sharp technical execution, and constant collective vigilance. On the heels of a specialised workshop in Dibombari focused on chemical risk management, Dr. Eyoum Njowe Carole breaks down the medical, preventive, and operational strategies driving SOCAPALM’s ongoing safety transformation.

What was the primary objective of this chemical risk management training, and why target managers alongside their teams?

The objective was very concrete: to ensure that everyone who supervises, handles, transports, stores, or uses a chemical product can identify the danger before it turns into an accident or a health issue.

Joint training is essential because prevention cannot remain theoretical knowledge held by a few specialists. Managers organize activities, set instructions, and monitor execution they need the authority and awareness to halt dangerous situations immediately. Teams, in turn, translate safety rules into daily habits. Bringing both levels together aligns operational decisions with field execution. The core takeaway is simple: when dealing with chemical risks, exposure must never be taken lightly.

From an occupational health perspective, what are the primary chemical hazards workers face, and how does training serve as a line of defense?

Exposure typically occurs through inhalation, skin/eye contact, or accidental ingestion. Depending on the chemical, dosage, and frequency of exposure, health effects range from acute skin burns and respiratory irritation to severe chronic conditions caused by long-term contact. Training transforms theoretical information into preventive reflexes. It equips workers to read labels, understand safety data sheets (SDS), avoid unsafe chemical mixtures, wear correct PPE, maintain proper workplace hygiene, and execute emergency responses during accidental spills or splashes. In occupational health, preventing initial exposure is always the ultimate goal.

The program emphasised hazard identification and responsible handling. What core lessons should participants retain?

I highlighted six fundamental reflexes: Identify the product and its associated hazards prior to use. Strictly adhere to protocols for storage, dosing, transport, and application. Wear appropriate PPE that is suited to the specific risk and in good condition .Maintain strict personal hygiene never eat, drink, or smoke while handling chemicals, and wash thoroughly post-task. Participate in medical surveillance and follow emergency reporting procedures. If in doubt about a product or protocol, stop, ask, and secure the area before proceeding. Safety is built in those few seconds when caution overcomes habit.

Beyond theoretical knowledge, what concrete changes do you expect to see on the ground?

The true metric of success isn’t attendance it is field execution. We expect improved task preparation, systematic checks of products and safety gear, and rapid anomaly reporting. For managers, this means delivering stronger safety briefings, actively monitoring practices, correcting unsafe behaviors instantly, and encouraging open dialogue. Employees must feel empowered to report hazards without waiting for an incident to occur. We are shifting from viewing safety as a rigid set of rules to living it as an operational culture: I understand the risk, I control my actions, I protect my colleagues, and I report what needs fixing.

What is SOCAPALM’s biggest challenge in making chemical risk prevention a long-term, collective responsibility?

The main challenge is sustainability. Protocols can be drafted and PPE distributed, but safety only works when every individual feels accountable for their actions and watchful over their peers. Health and safety must be integrated into every operational decision before, during, and after tasks through post-activity feedback. This requires continuous refresher courses, active monitoring, and relentless correction of deviations. Chemical risk prevention isn’t just a technical requirement; it’s a human commitment. Behind every safety instruction is a person to protect, a family to safeguard, and a team that deserves to return home healthy every single day.