Chege stated that the company has invested heavily in the modernization of the institute to strengthen its capacity for disaster management and firefighting training in the country and beyond to a higher level.

Speaking at the institute’s Eldoret branch during a two-day training session on disaster response, rescue techniques, and fire-fighting for its staff and those from other public and private sector players, the deputy DG said that Kenya Pipeline Company’s (KPC) Morendat Institute of Oil and Gas in Eldoret puts more emphasis during training on areas such as disaster preparedness, workplace safety and fire-fighting techniques to ensure every workplace is free from hazards.

“It is prudent for the public and private sector institutions to ensure mandatory training programs for their staff on disaster response capabilities to avert loss of lives and property at the workplace in the event of hazards,” said Chege.

Deputy Director, Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services Ministry of Labour and Social Protection Justus Nyakera urged companies with more than 500 workers to hire a qualified nurse to attend to them in the event of illness or injuries while on duty.

He said that the majority of companies in the country were flouting the labour laws that have emphasized the need for employers to ensure safe and healthy workplaces.

“Any company that has more than 500 workers is supposed to have at least one qualified nurse as required by the labour laws as one of the key measures to ensure adequate safety at the workplaces,” stated Nyakera.

He said there was a need for public and private sectors to put in place watertight safety measures to ensure the safety of employees was not compromised at the workplace.

“We do not want to witness the loss of life because of the negligence of safety regulations at the workplace by employers as no amount of compensation can bring back lost lives,” noted Nyakera.