Workplace Health and Safety Policy (Nigeria)
WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY
[Company Name] | RC [RC Number]
Effective Date: [Effective Date]
Factories Act (Cap F1, LFN 2004) | Employee's Compensation Act 2010 | Labour Act (Cap L1, LFN 2004)
1. POLICY STATEMENT
[Company Name], which employs approximately [Number of Employees] workers, is committed to providing and maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for all employees, contractors, visitors, and members of the public who may be affected by our operations at [Company Address] and all other premises and sites where our work is carried out.
The management of [Company Name] accepts full responsibility for implementing this Workplace Health and Safety Policy and for ensuring that all persons working for or with the company are protected from foreseeable work-related injury, ill-health, and damage. Health and safety is not subordinate to commercial objectives — where any conflict arises, safety shall take precedence.
This Policy is effective from [Effective Date] and will be reviewed [Review Frequency].
Signed: _______________________________ Date: [Effective Date]
[CEO Name], Chief Executive Officer / Managing Director
2. LEGAL FRAMEWORK
[Company Name] will comply with all applicable Nigerian health and safety legislation, including without limitation:
— The Factories Act (Cap F1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004), administered by the Factory Inspectorate Division of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment;
— The Employee's Compensation Act 2010 (ECA 2010), administered by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), under which [Company Name] is registered (NSITF No. [NSITF Number]) and makes monthly contributions of 1% of total payroll to the Employee's Compensation Fund;
— The Labour Act (Cap L1, LFN 2004) and all subsidiary legislation thereunder;
— Any applicable sector-specific regulations, including the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 for oil and gas operations, and guidelines issued by the relevant regulatory authority.
3. EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES
[Company Name], through its management, will:
3.1 Provide and maintain plant, equipment, and systems of work that are safe and without risk to health, in compliance with Sections 18 to 30 of the Factories Act.
3.2 Conduct hazard identification and formal risk assessments for all significant workplace activities, document the assessments, and implement control measures using the hierarchy of controls (elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, personal protective equipment).
3.3 Provide all necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) — including [PPE Required] — free of charge to all employees and contractors exposed to identified hazards.
3.4 Provide adequate safety training to all employees at induction and whenever new equipment, chemicals, or work procedures are introduced, and maintain records of all safety training.
3.5 Report workplace accidents, injuries, and dangerous occurrences to the Factory Inspectorate of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment under Sections 51–55 of the Factories Act, and to the NSITF within 7 days of occurrence under Section 19 of ECA 2010.
3.6 Investigate all accidents, near-misses, and dangerous occurrences to identify root causes and prevent recurrence, and maintain an accident register as required by the Factories Act.
3.7 Designate [Safety Officer Name] as the Safety Officer with day-to-day responsibility for implementing this Policy. The Safety Officer can be contacted at [Safety Officer Contact].
4. EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES
All employees and contractors of [Company Name] must:
4.1 Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.
4.2 Follow all safe work procedures, safe operating instructions, and safety rules established by [Company Name] and comply with this Policy at all times.
4.3 Use personal protective equipment correctly and report any defective or missing PPE immediately to their supervisor or the Safety Officer.
4.4 Report all accidents, near-misses, injuries, ill-health, or dangerous conditions to their supervisor and to the Safety Officer as soon as practicable. Emergency and accident reports should be made to: [Accident Reporting Contact].
4.5 Not wilfully interfere with or misuse any safety device, safety equipment, or emergency facility, as required by Section 14 of the Factories Act (Cap F1, LFN 2004).
4.6 Cooperate with management, the Safety Officer, and Factory Inspectors from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment during safety inspections and investigations.
5. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND RISK MANAGEMENT
5.1 The primary workplace hazards identified at [Company Name]'s operations include: [Primary Hazards]. These hazards have been assessed and control measures are documented in the site-specific Risk Assessment Register maintained by the Safety Officer.
5.2 Risk assessments will be reviewed annually and whenever there is a significant change in work processes, equipment, materials, or following any accident or near-miss. The Safety Officer is responsible for coordinating risk assessments.
5.3 All identified hazards will be controlled using the hierarchy of controls: elimination of the hazard at source; substitution with a safer alternative; engineering controls (guarding, ventilation, isolation); administrative controls (safe work procedures, permit-to-work systems, training); and as a last resort, provision of appropriate personal protective equipment.
6. NSITF REGISTRATION AND EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION
6.1 [Company Name] is registered with the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) under the Employee's Compensation Act 2010 (NSITF Employer Number: [NSITF Number]) and makes the mandatory monthly contribution of 1% of total payroll to the Employee's Compensation Fund.
6.2 Any employee who suffers a work-related injury, occupational disease, or disability is entitled to compensation through the NSITF under ECA 2010, irrespective of fault. [Company Name] will assist any injured employee in making an NSITF compensation claim and will not obstruct or discourage any employee from making such a claim.
6.3 [Company Name] will report all workplace injuries, occupational diseases, and work-related deaths to the NSITF within 7 days of occurrence, as required by Section 19 of ECA 2010.
7. POLICY REVIEW AND COMMUNICATION
7.1 This Workplace Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed [Review Frequency] by [Safety Officer Name] under the direction of [CEO Name]. The review will assess whether the Policy remains suitable, adequate, and effective in light of any changes to the company's operations, personnel, or applicable Nigerian law.
7.2 This Policy will be communicated to all employees at induction and displayed at all work sites. Contractors and visitors will be provided with a summary of relevant safety requirements applicable to them before commencing work on [Company Name]'s premises.
7.3 All employees will be given the opportunity to participate in the review of this Policy and to raise health and safety concerns with the Safety Officer, [Safety Officer Name], at [Safety Officer Contact], without fear of reprisal.
Chief Executive Officer / Managing Director
________________
Signature
Safety Officer / HSE Manager
________________
Signature
What Is a Workplace Health and Safety Policy (Nigeria)?
A Workplace Health and Safety Policy in Nigeria establishes the obligations and procedures governing the conduct it regulates.
The primary statutory basis for workplace health and safety in Nigeria is the Factories Act (Cap F1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004), which applies to all factories, workshops, and similar workplaces and imposes duties on employers regarding the fencing of machinery, fire precautions, sanitary accommodation, lighting, and ventilation. The Factories Act is administered by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment through its Factory Inspectorate Division, which has powers of inspection and prosecution under Sections 56 to 65 of the Act.
The Employee's Compensation Act 2010 (ECA 2010) replaced the Workmen's Compensation Act and introduced a thorough no-fault compensation scheme for employees who suffer work-related injuries, diseases, or death. The ECA 2010 is administered by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), and all employers are required to register with the NSITF and make monthly contributions of 1% of their total monthly payroll to the Employee's Compensation Fund. Employers who fail to register or contribute face penalties under Sections 33 to 36 of ECA 2010.
In the oil and gas sector — Nigeria's largest industrial sector — the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 (PIA 2021) and regulations issued by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) impose additional health, safety, and environment (HSE) obligations. Companies operating in the Nigerian oil and gas sector must maintain an approved Health, Safety and Environment Management System (HSEMS) and submit annual HSE performance reports to the relevant regulatory body.
A Workplace Health and Safety Policy differs from a standalone Workplace Safety Policy in scope: a WHS Policy encompasses both the physical safety of employees and the broader health dimensions of work, including occupational health surveillance, mental health, noise-induced hearing loss, chemical exposure, and ergonomic risks. Nigerian law does not prescribe a single mandatory WHS Policy format, but the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Occupational Safety and Health Convention No. 155 (1981), to which Nigeria is a signatory, requires member states to confirm employers adopt a coherent national policy on occupational safety and health.
The legal framework governing the Workplace Health and Safety Policy (Nigeria) in Nigeria draws on several key statutes and regulatory bodies. Under Nigerian law, the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 (CAMA) regulates corporate entities through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The Labour Act (Cap L1 LFN 2004) and the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) govern employment disputes. The Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019 and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) protect personal data. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) administers tax obligations under the Companies Income Tax Act. The Federal High Court and state High Courts have jurisdiction over civil matters. Parties executing a Workplace Health and Safety Policy (Nigeria) in Nigeria should confirm the document reflects current law, including any amendments enacted since the original drafting date. The Labour Act (Cap. L1, LFN 2004) sets the foundational requirements.
When Do You Need a Workplace Health and Safety Policy (Nigeria)?
A Workplace Health and Safety Policy in Nigeria is required by every employer operating a factory, workshop, construction site, or other workplace covered by the Factories Act (Cap F1, LFN 2004) or employing five or more workers.
A Workplace Health and Safety Policy is needed by manufacturing companies — including textile manufacturers, food processing plants, and steel fabricators — operating under licences issued by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and subject to inspection by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment's Factory Inspectorate. The policy demonstrates compliance with the Factories Act's requirements for safe working conditions.
A Workplace Health and Safety Policy is required by construction companies registered with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) or the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), as construction sites are among the highest-risk workplaces in Nigeria. Section 47 of the Factories Act extends its application to construction works, and the Construction Industry Working Group under the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment regularly audits site safety compliance.
A Workplace Health and Safety Policy is needed by oil and gas companies — whether upstream operators licensed by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), midstream companies licenced by the NMDPRA, or service companies — as a mandatory component of the Health, Safety and Environment Management System (HSEMS) required under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.
A Workplace Health and Safety Policy is required when a Nigerian company registers with the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) under the Employee's Compensation Act 2010. The NSITF may request evidence of the employer's WHS Policy and accident prevention programme as part of its employer assessment process.
A Workplace Health and Safety Policy is needed by multinational companies operating in Nigeria whose parent companies require global HSE policy compliance, including companies certified under the ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems standard, which replaces OHSAS 18001 and requires a documented WHS policy as a core element.
Parties in Nigeria should prepare a Workplace Health and Safety Policy (Nigeria) proactively rather than waiting for a dispute to arise. Courts interpret agreements based on the written terms rather than oral representations. Under Nigerian law, the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 (CAMA) regulates corporate entities through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The Labour Act (Cap L1 LFN 2004) and the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) govern employment disputes. The Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019 and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) protect personal data. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) administers tax obligations under the Companies Income Tax Act. The Federal High Court and state High Courts have jurisdiction over civil matters. Where the transaction involves regulated activities, prior approval from the relevant authority may be required before execution.
What to Include in Your Workplace Health and Safety Policy (Nigeria)
A complete Nigeria Workplace Health and Safety Policy must contain the following essential elements to satisfy the Factories Act, ECA 2010, and applicable sector regulations.
Policy statement and commitment: A signed statement from the Chief Executive Officer or Managing Director committing the organisation to protecting the health and safety of all persons affected by its activities. The policy statement must be dated, signed, and communicated to all employees. Under the ILO OSH Convention No. 155 ratified by Nigeria, the employer's commitment to occupational safety and health must be expressed in a formal policy.
Scope and application: A clear statement of which employees, locations, activities, and contractors the policy covers. The policy must specify whether it applies to all Nigerian operations or to specific sites, and whether it applies to contractors and subcontractors working on the employer's premises.
Legal framework: References to the applicable Nigerian legislation, including the Factories Act (Cap F1, LFN 2004), Employee's Compensation Act 2010, Labour Act (Cap L1, LFN 2004), and any sector-specific regulations (e.g., Petroleum Industry Act 2021 for oil and gas companies). This section confirms the employer's awareness of and commitment to statutory compliance.
Employer responsibilities: Specific duties assigned to management and supervisors, including: providing and maintaining safe plant and equipment; conducting hazard identification and risk assessments; providing personal protective equipment (PPE) free of charge; investigating accidents and near-misses; and reporting workplace accidents to the NSITF within 7 days of occurrence under Section 19 of ECA 2010.
Employee responsibilities: Obligations on employees to take reasonable care of their own health and safety, follow safe work procedures, use PPE correctly, report hazards and accidents to management, and cooperate with safety inspections. Under Section 14 of the Factories Act, employees have a duty not to wilfully interfere with or misuse safety devices.
Hazard identification and risk assessment: A description of the process for identifying workplace hazards, assessing risks, and implementing control measures using the hierarchy of controls (elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, PPE). Formal risk assessments must be documented and reviewed when work processes change.
Accident reporting and investigation: The procedure for reporting workplace accidents, injuries, and dangerous occurrences to the Factory Inspectorate of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment under Sections 51 to 55 of the Factories Act, and to the NSITF under Section 19 of ECA 2010. All fatal accidents must be reported immediately.
NSITF registration and contributions: Confirmation that the employer is registered with the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and makes the mandatory 1% monthly payroll contribution to the Employee's Compensation Fund under the ECA 2010. NSITF registration details and contribution reference should be stated.
Review and communication: The frequency of policy review (at minimum annually or after any significant incident), the officer responsible for review, and the method by which the policy is communicated to all employees — including new employees at induction, existing staff through notice boards and safety briefings, and contractors through site induction programmes.
Additional compliance elements for a Workplace Health and Safety Policy (Nigeria) used in Nigeria include: Under Nigerian law, the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 (CAMA) regulates corporate entities through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The Labour Act (Cap L1 LFN 2004) and the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) govern employment disputes. The Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019 and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) protect personal data. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) administers tax obligations under the Companies Income Tax Act. The Federal High Court and state High Courts have jurisdiction over civil matters. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for Nigeria-compliant documentation.
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Reference this free template in an article, syllabus, or research note:
Forms Legal. (2026). Workplace Health and Safety Policy (Nigeria) (Nigeria) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/nigeria/employment/hr-forms/workplace-health-safety-policy-nigeria
"Workplace Health and Safety Policy (Nigeria) (Nigeria)." Forms Legal, 2026, https://forms-legal.com/nigeria/employment/hr-forms/workplace-health-safety-policy-nigeria.
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year = {2026},
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note = {Free legal document template. Based on Labour Act (Cap. L1, LFN 2004)}
}Also available for these jurisdictions:
Frequently Asked Questions
Nigerian law does not impose an explicit statutory requirement to have a single written Workplace Health and Safety Policy document, unlike the UK Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 which mandates a written policy for employers with 5 or more staff. However, the Factories Act (Cap F1, LFN 2004), administered by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment's Factory Inspectorate Division, imposes extensive substantive duties on factory employers — including provision of safe machinery, fire precautions, accident recording, and medical facilities — that effectively require documented safety management. The Employee's Compensation Act 2010 (ECA 2010) requires all employers to maintain an accident prevention programme and register with the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). For oil and gas companies, the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and NUPRC/NMDPRA regulations mandate a formal Health, Safety and Environment Management System (HSEMS). In practice, Factory Inspectors expect to see documented safety policies during inspections, and the absence of a written WHS Policy may be treated as non-compliance.
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) is a federal government agency established to administer the Employee's Compensation Act 2010 (ECA 2010), which provides compensation to employees who suffer work-related injuries, diseases, disabilities, or death. Under the ECA 2010, every employer in Nigeria — whether public or private sector — must: (1) register with the NSITF within 4 weeks of commencing operations; (2) contribute 1% of total monthly payroll to the Employee's Compensation Fund; (3) report workplace accidents, injuries, and occupational diseases to the NSITF within 7 days of occurrence (Section 19 of ECA 2010); and (4) cooperate with NSITF inspections and investigations. Failure to register attracts a fine of NGN 50,000 under Section 33(3) of ECA 2010. Failure to contribute attracts a penalty of 2% of the unpaid contribution per month. The ECA 2010 replaced the Workmen's Compensation Act and introduced a no-fault compensation scheme, meaning employees can claim compensation without proving employer negligence.
Under Sections 51 to 55 of the Factories Act (Cap F1, LFN 2004), Nigerian factory employers must report specific categories of workplace accidents and dangerous occurrences to the Factory Inspectorate of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. Reportable accidents include: any accident causing death of a worker on the premises; any accident causing bodily injury that prevents the worker from working for more than 3 days; dangerous occurrences (even without injury) such as explosion, collapse of a crane, burst boiler, or electrical short circuit causing fire. Fatal accidents must be reported immediately by the fastest available means (typically telephone) and confirmed in writing to the nearest Factory Inspector within 24 hours. Non-fatal accidents causing over 3 days' incapacity must be reported within 7 days using the prescribed form. Failure to report is an offence under Section 55 of the Factories Act, attracting a fine on conviction. Additionally, under Section 19 of the ECA 2010, all workplace injuries must also be reported to the NSITF within 7 days.
Yes. Under the Factories Act (Cap F1, LFN 2004), the occupier of a factory (which includes the principal employer) has duties that extend to contractors and their workers who are present on the factory premises. Section 47 of the Factories Act imposes duties on the principal employer in relation to works carried out on their premises, including ensuring that contractors comply with the Act's safety requirements. Under the Employee's Compensation Act 2010, workers employed by contractors working on a principal employer's premises are covered by the ECA 2010, and the principal employer may have contributory liability if they directed or controlled the contractor's work. In the oil and gas sector, the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and NUPRC regulations require that contractors engaged by licence holders comply with the principal's HSEMS. Best practice — and a requirement of international standards such as ISO 45001:2018 — is for the principal employer's WHS Policy to expressly cover contractors and to require contractors to demonstrate their own safety management compliance before being engaged.
Nigerian employers face multiple categories of penalties for workplace safety violations. Under the Factories Act (Cap F1, LFN 2004), conviction for offences such as failure to fence dangerous machinery (Section 18), failure to provide fire precautions (Section 28), or failure to report accidents (Section 55) carries fines ranging from NGN 50,000 to NGN 500,000 depending on the offence, and repeat offences attract higher fines under the Second Schedule of the Act. Under the Employee's Compensation Act 2010 (ECA 2010), failure to register with the NSITF attracts a fine of NGN 50,000, and failure to pay contributions attracts 2% per month penalty on outstanding amounts. In cases of negligence causing employee death or serious injury, the employer faces civil liability for damages under common law principles applied by Nigerian courts, independently of any NSITF compensation. For oil and gas companies, the NUPRC can suspend or revoke operating licences for repeated HSE violations under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021. Factory Inspectors have authority to issue prohibition notices requiring immediate cessation of dangerous operations and improvement notices requiring remedial action within a specified period.
A Workplace Health and Safety Policy in Nigeria should be reviewed at minimum annually, and additionally whenever any of the following occur: a significant workplace accident or dangerous occurrence; a material change in the nature or scale of the employer's operations; introduction of new equipment, chemicals, or work processes; a change in applicable Nigerian legislation (such as new NSITF regulations or amendments to the Factories Act); or following an inspection by the Factory Inspectorate of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment that identifies deficiencies. The ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management System standard, adopted by many Nigerian companies especially in oil and gas, requires a documented management review process for the OHSMS at planned intervals. The review must be carried out by a senior manager with responsibility for health and safety — typically the Chief Operating Officer, HSE Director, or a nominated Safety Officer. The revised policy must be re-signed by the Chief Executive or Managing Director, re-dated, and re-communicated to all employees.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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